Child Rearing Practices Report Research Articles

Multidimensional Factor Structure of the Modified Child Rearing Practices Report questionnaire (CRPR-Q) in a sample of Portuguese mothers: A bifactor approach

Parental attitudes toward child socialization influence their child-rearing practices, the quality of parent-child relationships, and children’s developmental outcomes. The Modified Child Rearing Practices Questionnaire (CRPR-Q) has been widely used to assess parenting practices across children’s development. However, the few studies investigating its two-factorial structure (nurturance and restrictiveness) have shown inconsistent findings and have not explored measurement invariance across children’s sex and age groups. The aims of this study were to (1) further investigate the factorial structure of the CRPR-Q, by using bifactor solutions (b-confirmatory factor analysis [B-CFA] and b-exploratory structural equation modeling [B-ESEM]) and (2) examine the measurement invariance of CRPR-Q across children’s sex and age groups. A community sample of 589 Portuguese mothers of children aged 3 to 15 years completed the CRPR-Q. Our findings revealed that the B-ESEM model best fit the data. A clear differentiation between the two a priori factors (nurturance and restrictiveness) was found. However, our findings suggest the need to control for content specificity and rely on a broader perspective regarding the nurturance factor. Measurement invariance was observed across children’s sex but not across children’s age groups. These findings contribute to a more in-depth understanding of the underlying relationships among the CRPR-Q items.

The relationship between positive parenting and adolescent prosocial behaviour: The mediating role of empathy and the moderating role of the oxytocin receptor gene

<p id=p00005>Prosocial behaviour, that is, behaviour intended to benefit others, has been linked to a variety of desirable traits, including positive relationships, better academic performance and lower levels of antisocial behaviours. As such, the origins and the mechanisms underlying the remarkable individual differences in prosocial behaviour are the focus of an increasing number of studies, with numerous research consistently documenting the important role of positive parenting and empathy. Notably, differentiating between cognitive and emotional components of empathy may help further clarify the processes by which parenting eventuates in prosocial behaviour. Although all children may be impacted by parenting, some children benefit more than others from good-quality rearing. Recent research has suggested that the oxytocin receptor (<italic>OXTR</italic>) gene rs53576 polymorphism could determine the degree to which a child is influenced by environment. The biological function of rs53576 polymorphism has yet to be delineated, and the literature is mixed with regard to heterozygote (AG) grouping; thus, the implications for AG grouping are not well understood. Therefore, the dummy coding, additive coding, dominant coding and recessive coding models were all investigated in this study to test the nature of gene effect. This study aimed to extend previous studies on the association between parenting and prosocial behaviour by examining the mediating role of cognitive and emotional empathy and the moderating role of the <italic>OXTR</italic> gene. <p id=p00010>The participants were 1082 mother-offspring dyads (adolescents’ mean age: 12.32 ± 0.48 years, 50.3% females) recruited from the community. At Time 1, mothers reported their positive parenting via the Chinese version of the Child-Rearing Practices Report (CRPR) and peer-rated adolescents’ prosocial behaviours. At Time 2, adolescent-reported perspective-taking and empathic concern, peer-rated prosocial behaviours and saliva samples were collected. All measures showed good reliability. Genotyping at <italic>OXTR</italic> gene was performed with MassARRAY RT software version 3.0.0.4 and analysed using the MassARRAY Typer software version 3.4 (Sequenom). <p id=p00015>Results showed that adolescents who received higher levels of maternal positive parenting exhibited more prosocial behaviours. However, the direct effect of positive parenting on prosocial behaviour became nonsignificant after controlling for baseline prosocial behaviour. Cognitive empathy, but not emotional empathy, mediated the association between positive parenting and prosocial behaviour. Specifically, positive parenting was positively associated with cognitive empathy, which in turn was positively associated with adolescent prosocial behaviour. Further, this mediation was moderated by the <italic>OXTR</italic> gene rs53576 polymorphism. For adolescents with AA and GG genotypes, positive parenting was related to higher levels of cognitive empathy, which increased prosocial behaviour. However, this mediation effect was not observed among adolescents with AG genotype. In addition, the results revealed evidence for an overdominance model for <italic>OXTR</italic> rs53576. Moreover, the G × E term predicted cognitive empathy but not prosocial behaviour. This finding suggests that cognitive empathy may be an endophenotype closer along the causal chain to the genotype and that the strength of the G × E effects was greater for empathy than for distal behavioural outcomes. <p id=p00020>These findings add to our understanding of how empathy and genetic factors contribute to adolescents’ prosocial behaviour within the family context. In addition, these results suggest that cognitive and emotional aspects of empathy are likely to be involved—in somewhat different psychosocial mechanisms—in the development of prosocial behaviour. Notably, the overdominance effect of <italic>OXTR</italic> should be interpreted with caution until replicated. However, when a three-category polymorphic genotype is used, as is commonly applied when modelling a dominant or recessive effect, both false positive and false negative results can occur, and the nature of the interaction can be misrepresented.

Examining the Relation Between Gender Nonconformity and Psychological Well-Being in Children: The Roles of Peers and Parents.

No study to date has simultaneously tested how poor peer relations, generic risk factors, and parental attitudes impact the behavioral and emotional challenges of children who vary in their gender expression. In a community sample, the present study investigated various hypothesized psychosocial and generic risk factors regarding the association between childhood gender nonconformity (GNC) and psychological well-being. Canadian parents/guardians reported on their children aged 6-12years (N = 1719, 48.8% assigned male at birth) regarding their child's GNC, measured by the Gender Identity Questionnaire for Children; behavioral and emotional challenges, measured by the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL); and peer relations, measured by the CBCL and Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire. Parent/guardian gender-stereotypical attitudes toward child-rearing were assessed using an adapted version of the Child-Rearing Sex Role Attitude Scale, and attachment between the parent/guardian and child was measured with an adapted version of the Child-Rearing Practices Report. Based on regression analyses, GNC was related to elevated behavioral and emotional challenges, and this association was stronger for those who experienced poor peer relations as well as for those whose parents/guardians endorsed gender-stereotyped attitudes and were less willing to serve as a secure base for the child. Recommendations are provided for ways in which social environments can be altered to improve psychological well-being among gender-nonconforming children.

Theory of Mind and Parental Nurturance as Predictors of Peer Relationships After Childhood Traumatic Brain Injury: A Test of Moderated Mediation.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) sustained in childhood is associated with poor social outcomes. This study investigated the role of theory of mind (ToM) as a mediator of the relation between TBI and peer rejection/victimization and reciprocated friendships, as well as the moderating effect of parental nurturance on those relationships. Participants were children of 8-13 years old (M = 10.45, SD = 1.47), including 13 with severe TBI, 39 with complicated mild/moderate TBI, and 32 children with orthopedic injuries. Data on peer rejection/victimization and friendship were collected in school classrooms using the Extended Class Play and friendship nominations. Parents rated parental nurturance using the Child-Rearing Practices Report. Finally, ToM was measured based on children's average performance across three tasks measuring different aspects of ToM. Severe TBI was associated with poorer ToM, greater peer rejection/victimization, and fewer reciprocated friendships. ToM mediated the relation between severe TBI and peer rejection/victimization (i.e., severe TBI predicted poorer ToM, which in turn predicted greater rejection/victimization). Parental nurturance significantly moderated this relation, such that the mediating effect of ToM was significant only at low and average levels of parental nurturance, for both severe and complicated mild/moderate TBI groups. Neither the mediating effect of ToM nor the moderating effect of parental nurturance was significant for reciprocated friendships. High parental nurturance may mitigate the negative effects of ToM deficits on risk of peer rejection/victimization among children with TBI. Interventions designed to increase parental nurturance or ToM may promote better social outcomes among children with TBI.

Maternal Parenting Styles and Glycemic Control in Children with Type 1 Diabetes.

The purpose of this study is to examine differences in parenting styles between mothers of children with type 1 diabetes and mothers of healthy children and to explore relationships between parenting styles and glycemic control of children with diabetes. Mothers of 63 children with diabetes and mothers of 83 children without diabetes reported their parenting styles using the Blocks’ Child Rearing Practices Report, when their child was 9–10 years old. Glycemic control of the children with diabetes was evaluated 1 year after diagnosis (<6 years of age) and at the time of the study (at 9–10 years). Mothers of children with diabetes used more psychological control than mothers of healthy children. Among girls with diabetes, poorer early glycemic control was associated with mothers’ subsequent greater use of psychological control. Behavioral control was positively associated with poorer current glycemic control. In boys, psychological control was positively associated with poorer current glycemic control. Psychological control in families with diabetes needs attention, because it has shown to be associated with poorer diabetes care.

PRESCHOOL CHILD’S MOTHER’S PARENTING PRACTICES AND ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT WITH CHILD’S DIGITALLY-BASED ACTIVITY IN RELATION TO CHILD’S PROSOCIAL OR PROBLEMATIC BEHAVIOR

The aim of this research was to examine preschool children’s prosocial behavior as well as internalizing and externalizing problems in relation to their mothers’ parenting practices and active involvement with their child in the use of various digital technologies (television, computer, telephone, play stations), time spent and content of the child’s activities. Participating in the research were the mothers of 120 preschool children, aged 5 – 6 years old, 50 girls and 70 boys. Mothers completed the Child Behavior Checklist (Achenbach Rescorla, 2000), prosocial behavior scale of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (Goodman, 1997), Block‘s Child Rearing Practices Report (Block, 1981), as adapted by Aunolo and Nurmi (Aunola Nurmi, 2004) and also answered questions regarding the child’s time spent with digital technologies, the content of their activity (drawing, puzzles, games, etc.), and the mother’s degree of active involvement with her child during these activities. Results showed that mother’s active involvement with child’s digitally-based activity was associated with emotionally warm parenting, as well as with higher child’s prosocial behavior ratings. Regression analysis showed that lover mother’s involvement and punishment orientation in parenting was predictive of externalizing behavior ratings for boys. Results are discussed in relation to practical implications for parent-child relationships.

Self-Perceptions about Parenting Efficacy and Nurturance among Parents with Mental Illness

Parenting is a crucial life role for individuals with mental illness. However, relatively little research has explored how the parents view themselves in the parenting role. In this study, we compared individuals between the age group of 30 to 50 years who had been diagnosed with any Axis I disorder (DSM IV TR) of at least 2 years duration but were currently in remission and were high functioning (GAF above 60), with individuals with no prior history of psychiatric illness. We studied two variables- Parenting Efficacy, as measured by scores on the Parenting Efficacy subscale of the Parental Locus of Control Scale (Campis, Lyman and Prentice Dunn, 1986), and Parenting Nurturance, as measured by the Nurturance subscale of the Child Rearing Practices Report- Modified (Rickel and Biasitti, 1982). The two groups showed significant differences in scores on both measures- for Parenting Efficacy, t(38) =1.87, p&lt;0.04, and for Nurturance, t(38) =2.07, p&lt;0.03, with those with psychiatric diagnoses scoring lower on both. The results are discussed in terms of internalised stigma and real and perceived skill deficits. The findings have implications for psychosocial rehabilitation of parents with mental illness and community awareness programmes.

Child-rearing in the context of childhood cancer: Perspectives of parents and professionals

Elevated distress has been well documented among parents of children with cancer. Family systems theories suggest that cancer-related stressors and parental distress have the potential to affect child-rearing practices, but this topic has received limited empirical attention. The present work examined self-reported child-rearing practices among mothers and fathers of children with cancer and matched comparisons. Medical and psychosocial professionals with expertise in pediatric oncology selected items from the Child-Rearing Practices Report (CRPR) likely to differentiate parents of children with cancer from matched comparison parents. Then, responses on these targeted items were compared between parents of children with cancer (94 mothers, 67 fathers) and matched comparisons (98 mothers, 75 fathers). Effect sizes of between-group differences were compared for mothers versus fathers. Pediatric oncology healthcare providers predicted that 14 items would differentiate child-rearing practices of parents of children with cancer from parents of typically developing children. Differences emerged on six of the 14 CRPR items. Parents of children with cancer reported higher levels of spoiling and concern about their child's health and development than comparison parents. Items assessing overprotection and emotional responsiveness did not distinguish the two groups of parents. The effect size for the group difference between mothers in the cancer versus comparison groups was significantly greater than that for fathers on one item related to worry about the child's health. Parents of children with cancer report differences in some, but not all, domains of child-rearing, as predicted by healthcare professionals.

80后父母子女教养方式的现状及与教育心理控制源的关系&lt;br&gt;The Status Quo of Child-Rearing Practices of Parents Born in the 1980s and Relation to Parenting Locus of Control for Children

本文使用儿童抚养行为量表(The Child-Rearing Practices Report, CRPR)和子女教育心理控制源量表(The Parenting Locus of Control Scale, PLOC)，以442名80后父母为被试进行问卷调查，探讨80后父母对子女的教养方式现状及与教育心理控制源的关系。结果发现：1) 80后父母对子女的养育行为中，接受性行为的人数比例最大，其次是鼓励成就性行为，拒绝性行为的人数比例最小。2) 80后父母在教育子女成败的归因上，父母的责任因子得分最高，教育成效因子得分最低。3) 80后独生父母与非独生父母在CRPR的保护和担忧因子上差异显著，PLOC的子女对父母的控制和命运/机遇的信念两个因子上差异显著。4) CRPR的接受、鼓励成就、鼓励独立三个因子均与PLOC的父母的责任和子女的控制两个因子正相关，CRPR的拒绝、惩罚、保护和担忧三个因子均与PLOC的五个因子都有不同程度的正相关。 To explore the status quo of child-rearing practices of parents born in the 1980s and its relationship to parenting Locus of control for children, a total of 442 parents born in the 1980s were investigated by using The Child-Rearing Practices Report (CRPR) and The Parenting Locus of Control Scale (PLOC). The results showed that: 1) In the child-rearing practices of parents born in the 1980s, the practice of acceptance had the largest proportion, followed by encouragement of achievement. The smallest percentage was the practice of rejection; 2) In the attribution of the success or failure of education for children, responsibility of parents had the highest scores, and parental efficacy had the lowest scores; 3) The parents who were only one child and the parents who were not only one child born in 1980s had significant difference of protection & concern (CRPR), control by child and fortune/chance; 4) Acceptance, encouragement of achievement and encouragement of independence of CRPR had significant positive correlates with responsibility of parents and control by child of PLOC. Rejection, punishment orientation and protection & concern of CRPR had significant positive correlates with all the five factors of PLOC.

A randomized study of the impact of a sensitizing intervention on the child-rearing attitudes of parents of low birth weight preterm infants

The background for this study was that nurturant child-rearing attitudes are associated with positive development in low birth weight (LBW) infants. The objective was to study child-rearing attitudes and early intervention (EI) in parents of LBW infants from 12-36 months corrected age. LBW infants (BW< 2000 g) were randomized to an intervention (IG) or a control group (CG). The EI consisted of seven in-hospital sessions prior to discharge, then four home visits. A Child Rearing Practices Report was administered at 12 (mothers only), 24 and 36 months. A total of 146 infants were randomized. The mean BW in IG was 1396 (SD 429) g and 1381 (436) g in CG. The mean GA was 30.2 (3.1) weeks in IG and 29.9 (3.5) weeks in CG. Mothers in IG reported significantly more nurturant child-rearing attitudes at 12 and 24 months. There was a significant change in restrictive and nurturant attitudes over time. It was concluded that EI may lead to more nurturant child-rearing attitudes in mothers of preterms.

Temperament and parental child-rearing style: unique contributions to clinical anxiety disorders in childhood

Both temperament and parental child-rearing style are found to be associated with childhood anxiety disorders in population studies. This study investigates the contribution of not only temperament but also parental child-rearing to clinical childhood anxiety disorders. It also investigates whether the contribution of temperament is moderated by child-rearing style, as is suggested by some studies in the general population. Fifty children were included (25 with anxiety disorders and 25 non-clinical controls). Child-rearing and the child's temperament were assessed by means of parental questionnaire (Child Rearing Practices Report (CRPR) (Block in The Child-Rearing Practices Report. Institute of Human Development. University of California, Berkely, 1965; The Child-Rearing Practices Report (CRPR): a set of Q items for the description of parental socialisation attitudes and values. Unpublished manuscript. Institute of Human Development. University of California, Berkely, 1981), EAS Temperament Survey for Children (Boer and Westenberg in J Pers Assess 62:537-551, 1994; Buss and Plomin in Temperament: early developing personality traits. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc, Hillsdale, 1984s). Analysis of variance showed that anxiety-disordered children scored significantly higher on the temperamental characteristics emotionality and shyness than non-clinical control children. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses showed that temperament (emotionality and shyness) and child-rearing style (more parental negative affect, and less encouraging independence of the child) both accounted for a unique proportion of the variance of anxiety disorders. Preliminary results suggest that child-rearing style did not moderate the association between children's temperament and childhood anxiety disorders. The limited sample size might have been underpowered to assess this interaction.

Child rearing styles, dental anxiety and disruptive behaviour; an exploratory study

This was to explore the relation between children's dental anxiety, their behaviour during treatment and their parent's rearing style. Also the parents' preparation of the child for dental treatment was related to behaviour and parental rearing style. The parents of 100 children, referred to a secondary dental care clinic were asked to fill out the Child Rearing Practices Report (CRPR), the Child Fear Survey Schedule (CFSS) on behalf of their children and an additional questionnaire on child preparation prior to dental treatment. Four rearing styles were constructed by using the results of the Nurturance and the Restrictiveness domain of the CRPR. Dentists were asked to assess the behaviour of the child during dental habituation and dental treatment using the Venham scale. The dentists were unaware of the child's CFSS score. Parents were not present during actual dental treatment. Each child's dental anxiety was related to their behaviour displayed during dental treatment. Highly anxious children showed more disruptive behaviour than their low anxious counterparts did, especially during familiarisation. Parental rearing style was neither related to child dental anxiety prior to or to behaviour during dental treatment. Parents who use a permissive rearing style were less likely to tell their children that the dentist will not hurt them compared with authoritarian parents. Parents with an authoritative rearing style were more convinced that the behaviour of their child could be managed by the dentist than parents with a permissive and neglectful rearing style. After their children's dental rehabilitation parents were less inclined to accompany their child during treatment. Dental anxiety correlated positively with the behaviour displayed during treatment. No relation was found between parenting style and dental anxiety and behaviour during treatment. Parents showed more confidence in the child-dentist dyad after the rehabilitation of their child's teeth.

Authoritative parenting and parental stress in parents of pre‐school and older children with developmental disabilities

Rearing a child with a developmental disability is associated with increased parental stress. Theories of stress and adjustment and bi-directional theories of child development suggest that parenting could influence these negative outcomes. Relationships between parenting approaches and stress in parents of children with developmental disabilities (DD) (N = 53) were examined across two age groups, 3-5 years and 9-11 years and compared with a contrast group of typically developing children (TD) (N = 60). Measures used were the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form and Rickel and Biasatti's modification of Block's Child Rearing Practices Report, classified into Baumrind's parenting styles using Reitman and Gross's method. Parents in the older DD group used Authoritative parenting less than parents in the younger DD group, while the opposite developmental pattern was seen in the TD group. Multivariate analysis of variance showed a significant group x parenting style interaction for Parental Distress, Parent-Child Dysfunctional Interaction and Difficult Child. Stress measures were higher for the DD group and seemed to be associated with Authoritative parenting approaches, an effect that was not observed in the TD group. Findings suggest that the well-established effect of group on stress may be moderated by parenting style. Authoritative parenting may be highly stressful for parents of children with DD to implement, resulting in a decrease in its use across the two age groups.

Brief report: child-rearing practices of caregivers with and without a child with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: perspectives of caregivers and professionals.

To evaluate predictions from professionals in pediatric rheumatology regarding the child-rearing practices of caregivers of children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and healthy classmates. Sixteen professionals identified items from the Child-Rearing Practices Report (CRPR) that were expected to differentiate between caregivers of children with JRA (64 mothers, 45 fathers) and caregivers of healthy classmates (64 mothers, 40 fathers). Families were interviewed, and physician ratings of disease severity were obtained. Experts predicted difficulties in protectiveness, discipline, and worry. Ratings from parents of children with JRA showed modest agreement with the professionals, surprising similarity to controls, and a limited association with disease factors. Contrary to expert opinion, JRA has only a modest influence on some child-rearing practices. Educating health care providers may minimize misperceptions about caring for children with JRA, and screening parents of children with more severe disease may assist in allocating education and services for families.

The relationship between cognitive abilities and maternal ratings of externalizing behaviors in preschool children.

The association between child cognitive abilities and maternal ratings of child externalizing behaviors was investigated in a randomly selected sample of 290 preschool children. Child cognitive abilities were assessed by the WPPSI-R, whereas mothers completed the Yale Children's Inventory for the assessment of child externalizing behaviors. Maternal education, and maternal child-rearing style, as defined by scores on the Child Rearing Practices Report, was significantly related to perceived externalizing child behavior. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that for girls, low child IQ remained a significant predictor of perceived externalizing behavior when effects of maternal education and child-rearing style were controlled for (p < 0.01). Maternal child-rearing style made independent contributions to explaining variance in girls' and boys' behavior score. The results are discussed in terms of differential gender socialization practices and gender stereotypes.

Parental Similarity on Child-Rearing Orientations: Effects of Stereotype Similarity

Previous research findings on similarity between parents on child-rearing orientations have been questioned as more recent research has found fairly high stereotype effects between spouses. The present report addressed issues of level and consistency of similarity over time, using data from the first 4 years of a 5-year study of 136 families and their preschool children. Parental similarity was assessed using the Block Child-rearing Practices Report (CRPR). Standard estimates of similarity as well as estimates of a dyadic-level similarity score, with stereotype effects removed, were obtained. While correlations across time were positive and significant for both scores, the dyadic score was significantly lower than the unadjusted score at all time points. Results indicated that earlier significant findings, between similarity and marital relations, family relations and child outcomes, were caused almost completely by stereotype effects.

Parenting style was associated with hyperactivity in school aged boys

Woodward L, Taylor E, Dowdney L. The parenting and family functioning of children with hyperactivity. J Child Psychol Psychiatry1998 Feb; 39 : 161 –9 [OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3][Web of Science][4] Question Which parenting...

Child-rearing practices of primary caregivers of children with sickle cell disease: the perspective of professionals and caregivers.

To obtain caregiver and medical professional opinions regarding the child-rearing practices of caregivers of children with sickle cell diseases (SCD). We obtained self-reports of parenting practices from 48 caregivers of children with SCD and 48 caregivers of matched classroom comparison peers using the Child-Rearing Practices Report (CRPR). CRPR ratings were also obtained from 12 experts in pediatric SCD regarding their predictions of how a parent of a child with SCD would respond. The experts predicted differences in protectiveness, discipline, and excessive worry. Objective interim and lifetime illness severity scores were obtained for the children with SCD. Caregivers showed similarity between the two groups, disagreement with the experts, and minimal relationship to illness severity. Experts who work with children with chronic illnesses such as SCD seem to have stereotyped ideas that do not correspond with parental reports of their child-rearing practices, suggesting the need for careful clinical evaluations.

Comparing Child-Rearing Practices in Parents of Children With Cancer and Parents of Healthy Children

This nonexperimental, descriptive study identified parenting behaviors and differences in the reported child-rearing practices between parents of children diagnosed with cancer and parents of healthy children. Two groups of parents were included: 58 parents of children diagnosed with cancer at a large urban children's cancer center and 58 parents of healthy children. The total group of parents ranged from 22 to 58 years with 35.7 and 35.9 years as the mean ages of the two groups. A variety of races were included among the parents and educational backgrounds ranged from high school and vocational to graduate/ doctoral degrees. Each child with cancer selected a healthy friend of the same age, sex, and race who served as their healthy counterpart for this study. Each of these child's parents were then involved in the data collection process. Data were collected over a 2-month period using the Child-Rearing Practices Report (CRPR) in the Q-sort format, in which the parent sorted 91 cards containing 91 items dealing with child-rearing. Items were compared between the two groups using two-tailed t-tests. Using a significance level of alpha = .02, 11 significant differences were found between the two groups in the domains of parental expectations, discipline, expression of emotion, parental concern/worry, and overprotectiveness. In conclusion, the primary types of items that shared or demonstrated significant differences between the two groups of parents were those dealing with discipline and overprotectiveness issues. The items responded to most significantly different were, "I tend to spoil my child" and "I worry about the health of my child," with the parents of children with cancer consistently rating these as more descriptive of them than the parents of healthy children did. Finally, this study suggested that the time of the child's diagnosis with cancer also affected the parents' reported child-rearing practices.

Comparing child-rearing practices in parents of children with cancer and parents of healthy children

This nonexperimental, descriptive study identified parenting behaviors and differences in the reported child-rearing practices between parents of children diagnosed with cancer and parents of healthy children. Two groups of parents were included: 58 parents of children diagnosed with cancer at a large urban children's cancer center and 58 parents of healthy children. The total group of parents ranged from 22 to 58 years with 35.7 and 35.9 years as the mean ages of the two groups. A variety of races were included among the parents and educational backgrounds ranged from high school and vocational to graduate/doctoral degrees. Each child with cancer selected a healthy friend of the same age, sex, and race who served as their healthy counterpart for this study. Each of these child's parents were then involved in the data collection process. Data were collected over a 2-month period using the Child-Rearing Practices Report (CRPR) in the Q-sort format, in which the parent sorted 91 cards containing 91 items dealing with child-rearing. Items were compared between the two groups using two-tailed t-tests. Using a significance level of alpha = .02, 11 significant differences were found between the two groups in the domains of parental expectations, discipline, expression of emotion, parental concern/worry, and overprotectiveness. In conclusion, the primary types of items that shared or demonstrated significant differences between the two groups of parents were those dealing with discipline and overprotectiveness issues. The items responded to most significantly different were, “I tend to spoil my child” and “I worry about the health of my child,” with the parents of children with cancer consistently rating these as more descriptive of them than the parents of healthy children did. Finally, this study suggested that the time of the child's diagnosis with cancer also affected the parent's reported child-rearing practices.