Abstract
In the current study, an observational procedure, recorded in video, was used to evaluate the quality of parent-child interactions in a sample of vulnerable Portuguese families (n = 47) with school-aged children followed by Child Protective Services (CPS). The study sought to explore if the families presented different profiles of parent-child interaction quality, and to characterize such profiles in terms of discrete behaviors observed, parenting outcome variables, and families’ sociodemographic and CPS referral characteristics. The parent-child dyads took part in a 15 minutes structured task and parents completed self-report measures (affection, parenting behaviors, and stress). Discrete behaviors of parents and children during interactions were coded with a micro-analytic coding procedure. The global dimensions of the parents’ interactions were coded with a global rating system. A latent profile analysis, estimated with global dimensions, identified two subgroups, one subgroup in which parents displayed higher quality interactions (n = 12), and another subgroup in which parents displayed lower quality interactions (n = 35). Further analyses comparing the subgroups determined that the higher quality subgroup presented more positive behaviors, and the lower quality subgroup presented more negative behaviors during the interactions. No further differences or associations were found regarding the parenting outcome variables, and the families’ sociodemographic and CPS referral characteristics. The findings are in line with prior studies, suggesting that vulnerable families may frequently present depleted parent-child interactions. However, given the small sample size, future studies should replicate the described procedures and analyses in larger sample sizes.
Highlights
Previous research has shown that the quality of a parent-child relationship has important consequences for a child’s development
The current study addressed the quality of parent-child interactions in a sample of vulnerable families followed by Child Protective Services (CPS)
The study sought to explore if the families presented different profiles of quality in their parent-child interactions, and to characterize such profiles in terms of discrete behaviors observed in the interaction, and regarding parenting outcome variables, and the families’ sociodemographic and CPS referral characteristics
Summary
Previous research has shown that the quality of a parent-child relationship has important consequences for a child’s development. Parent–child interactions are, determinants for the development of children, and for the wellbeing of families These interactions are modeled by the social, emotional, and cognitive skills of both a parent and a child, in which they respond and adapt to each other’s style [4,8]. The parent-child relationship can be affected by numerous risk factors that hinder the quality of the relationship, such as psychosocial and sociodemographic aspects which are well described in the literature [9]. These risk factors, in turn, play a negative role in short- and long-term child psychological wellbeing [9,10]. Low quality parent-child interactions, such as those experienced by abused and neglected children, have the potential to jeopardize children’s development, including their attachment and socio-emotional development, as well as lead to behavioral problems [11,12,13]
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