What impact does the child development assessment process have on parental self-efficacy?

Abstract

ABSTRACTObjective: Parental self-efficacy has been linked to overall parental competence, resilience and capacity to respond to adversity. It is therefore a desirable skill to promote in vulnerable parents, and in particular, parents of children with developmental disabilities. This study examines the relationship between parental self-efficacy and the experience of engaging in a contemporary child development assessment process.Method: This evaluation study utilised a pre and post design to measure the change in parental self-efficacy using the Parental Self-Agency Measure (PSAM). Parents of children undergoing developmental diagnostic assessments were asked to complete these measures at the commencement and completion of their assessment journey, as well as a short demographic survey for exploration of family characteristics. A sample of 43 parents participated in this study.Results: Results suggest that the majority of parents who engage in a child development diagnostic process leave the service with increased parental self-efficacy. An analysis of demographic characteristics also demonstrated that vulnerable populations, such as parents with a mental illness, enter the service with much lower self-efficacy scores; yet experience an increase in self-efficacy during their child’s diagnostic assessment process.Discussion: The Child Development assessment process can be understood as an intervention strategy at a parent level, addressing parental understanding, confidence and management approaches which are foundational if children’s developmental outcomes are to be optimised post assessment. This study explores psychosocial barriers to PSE and provides recommendations of inclusive models of Child Development assessment that may help to address these barriers.