Parenting Capacity Research Articles

Study on the Trend of Low Fertility Rate in China and Its Influencing Factors

In recent years, China's population fertility rate has continued to decline, becoming a major issue of widespread concern in all sectors of society. This paper aims to analyze the trend of China's low fertility rate and its main influencing factors. Through the analysis of national statistical data and a review of relevant literature, this paper finds that China's total fertility rate is already far below the world level. Due to the family planning policy, China is now facing the challenges of a low birth rate and an aging population. China has problems such as insufficient government support for fertility policies and low public enthusiasm for fertility, especially in large cities, where high living costs and work pressures have a significant inhibitory effect on fertility. This paper suggests that in the future, policies should pay more attention to improving the parenting capacity of individual families, strengthening work-family balance, and improving parenting supply, to alleviate the restrictions and challenges of socioeconomic development brought about by low fertility rates.

The Impact of Domestic Violence on the experience of being a mother: a systematic review of the subjective accounts of survivors

Domestic violence (DV) is still a silent public health pandemic globally, more so during the COVID-19 pandemic. Domestic abuse has a well-documented impact on women and its potential transgenerational consequences for their children. However, the influence of DV on a survivor's experience as a parent is rarely studied, especially in developing nations. Through a systematic review, this study aimed to examine and synthesise current global research on DV survivors' experiences regarding their parenting capacities. The objective was to understand how DV survivors perceive how their parenting capacities were impacted by the experience of DV. Five databases were searched between the periods 2010 to 2020. Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Through a thematic analysis of the included articles, three core themes emerged: first, the mothers’ state of psychosocial and physical health, exacerbated or associated with the DV experience, holds association with their perceived capacity within a parental role. Second, the influence of DV on motherhood is not necessarily predictive of negative parenting practices but somewhat contingent on the mothers’ ability to mobilise supportive internal and external resources, which are often restricted and disrupted by the abusive partner. Last, decisions to leave the abusive partner are complex and subjectively reasoned by the mothers, with a common intention to protect the family. These findings suggest that more comprehensive support and preventative interventions are needed in local communities to create supportive environments that are accessible to mothers who parent in the context of DV.

Attitudes towards parents with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder in child protection settings

BackgroundParents diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) have been linked to high rates of child protection involvement. Research has shown that this diagnosis carries a significant amount of stigma. In the absence of standardised procedures for parenting capacity assessments within the child protection sector, the risk of stigma contributing to the decision-making process is high. ObjectiveThis study examined if there were differences in how students and practitioners rated parenting capacity based on parenting scenarios where a parent had a diagnosis of BPD compared to a parent diagnosed with postnatal depression. Participants and settingThe sample included 122 current, past, and prospective child protection workers who were recruited via social media and a local University. MethodsParticipants completed an online survey which included demographic questions and rated parenting capacity based on two vignettes involving two scenarios (one where a parent had a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder and post-natal depression in the other), along with general attitudes towards people with a diagnosis of BPD. ResultsThe parent in the BPD vignette was assessed as having poorer parenting capacity compared to the parent in the postnatal depression scenario. Interestingly, there was no significant association between the assessment of parenting capacity and participants general attitudes and skills towards people with a diagnosis of BPD. Differences between the ratings of professionals and students are described. ConclusionsFurther training providing psychoeducation BPD is recommended to reduce the potential impact of stigma on decision-making, particularly for professionals within child protection settings.

Assessments, assumptions and ableism: examining court-ordered parenting capacity assessments of parents with intellectual disability and cognitive difficulties

ABSTRACT Background Parental intellectual disability is considered a risk factor for child removal internationally. In New South Wales, Australia, authorised clinicians are court appointed experts who assess parenting and cognitive capacity in child protection matters. Method This study examined a sample of 20 assessment orders requesting parenting capacity and cognitive capacity assessments and corresponding authorised clinician reports. Results Authorised clinicians were requested to assess whether parental intellectual disability and cognitive impairment posed the risk of harm to children. Clinicians assessed parents as either “able with support” or “unable” to provide adequate care to their child. Conclusion Our findings highlight the law’s conceptualisation of risk, parenting capacity, and cognitive impairment in binary terms (i.e., risk or no risk, able or unable), which in turn limits casework planning and clinicians’ framing of parents’ abilities. We provide recommendations to improve fair and equitable assessment processes for parents with cognitive difficulties, as well as access to timely and appropriate services.

Navigating treatment trajectories for families with young children after domestic violence: A Delphi-study exploring the priorities in terms of trauma-therapy and attachment-based intervention

BackgroundIn families with young children who have experienced domestic violence, both parents and children are at risk to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and there is a risk for disrupted parent-child interactions. ObjectiveTo identify the factors on which expert-clinicians agree that they should be considered when deciding on the order of trauma therapy for the parent, trauma therapy for the child, and attachment-based intervention. Participantsand settings: Participants were 16 experienced clinicians, trained in attachment-based intervention for parents and their young children, trauma therapy for adults, and trauma therapy for young children. MethodsA classic three-round Delphi approach was used. Anonymous online surveys were filled out by the participants. Consensus was defined as agreement among 70% of the participants. ResultsAfter the third survey round, there were eleven factors for which there was consensus. These included the preference of the parent for one of the three individual therapies, impaired parental mentalizing capacity, insensitive/disrupted parenting, a problematic attachment history between parent and child, a high level of child PTSD symptoms, a high level of parental PTSD symptoms, severe risks for the development of the child, a very young age of the child, and exposure of the child to one or more traumatic events. ConclusionsAgreement was found on which factors to consider in planning the order of treatments for families who have experienced domestic violence. These factors can provide a starting point from where clinicians can design a treatment plan with a specific family.

Using social media to share universal messages about early language and literacy development with parents and caregivers

Purpose Health promotion and prevention interventions to support children’s early language and literacy development are essential, however little is known about how social media can be used in this context. This study evaluated an intervention which aimed to build capacity of parents in supporting children’s language and literacy skills, implemented using Facebook. Method A cross-sector partnership of Australian speech-language pathologists developed a suite of universal messages for parents to support their child’s language development. Messages were delivered across 12 weeks via Facebook. A convergent mixed methods study design was used to evaluate survey responses from parents of children aged 0–5 years, before (n = 136) and after the intervention (n = 61). Social media analytics were collected. Result Participants identified social media was a helpful way to receive information about supporting their child’s language and literacy development, reporting an increase in knowledge following the intervention. Participants reported they trusted information provided in Facebook posts as it was from professionals and evidence-based sources. The usability (i.e. look and layout) was generally rated highly. Conclusion Social media is a valuable tool for speech-language pathologists to deliver universal messages. Future social media initiatives should be co-designed with families and social media professionals to ensure delivery of trusted, consistent, and user-friendly information.

A qualitative exploration of the assessment process to cochlear implantation for children with hearing loss

Objective To explore the process of paediatric cochlear implant assessment, from referral to implantation, from the perspective of parents, cochlear implant professionals, and through observations of clinics. Design Qualitative approach, using grounded theory methodology. Study sample Twelve families with children under 5 years with permanent hearing loss referred for a cochlear implant or received an implant in the past year, and six professionals who refer or assess children for cochlear implants. Data collection involved interviews and ethnographic observations of assessment clinics. Results The core theme derived from interview and observation data related to the work of the cochlear implant assessment for families. The relationship between the work generated by the assessment process and capacity of parents to do the work provides a model to examine access to early implantation, consistent with the Burden of Treatment theory. We identified variation in terms of workload, relating to factors such as a child’s additional needs or number of appointments required, and in terms of capacity, relating to factors such as social circumstances or health literacy. Social, peer and professional support and information helped families manage the workload. Conclusions Findings have implications for delivery of paediatric cochlear implant services.

Effects of Hidden Costs of Fee-Free Education On Students Academic Attainment in Public Secondary Schools in Karatu District, Tanzania

This study aimed at investigating the effects of hidden costs of fee-free education on students’ academic attainment in ordinary level secondary schools in Karatu district, Tanzania. The study employed convergent research resign which used both qualitative and quantitative designs. The study was conducted in 14 public secondary schools selected randomly from 31 public secondary schools in the Karatu district. The sample size was 318, consisting of form four students selected using systematic random sampling whereas fourteen parents, fourteen Head of School’s and fourteen Ward Executive Officers were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected using questionnaires and semi structured interview guide. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The study found that hidden costs had severe effects on students’ academic attainment. Other negative phenomena found to result from hidden costs include truancy and lack of concentration in class. Based on the findings the study concludes that there are serious negative consequences associated with hidden costs and consequently, in free education provision, hidden costs can be counterproductive, potentially able to decrease the chances of attaining the objectives of free education provision. The study recommends that strategies in free education provision should further expand to counterbalance costs of education. Strategies targeted at enhancing general improvements in people’s wellbeing and livelihood are also measures required to enhance the capacity of parents to shoulder the burden of education.

Lasting benefits of embryonic eavesdropping on parent-parent communication.

Developing embryos have traditionally been viewed as passive agents in the evolution of family conflicts, with maternal substances within the uterus or eggs as main factors modulating later expression of offspring solicitation behaviors. Yet, parent-offspring conflict theory predicts that offspring might also rely on alternative cues to adjust demand in response to prenatal cues of parental capacity for resource provisioning. Here, we show how embryonic experience with vocalizations carried out by parents during nest-relief displays at incubation adaptively shapes avian offspring development, providing lasting benefits to offspring. Genetic siblings prenatally exposed to different levels of parent-parent communication showed differences in epigenetic patterns, adrenocortical responsiveness, development, and food solicitation behavior. The correspondence between prenatal acoustic experience and parental context positively influenced the nutritional status and growth rate of offspring reared by communicative parents. Offspring can thus retain strong control over their own development by gathering prenatal acoustic information about parental generosity.

Building Parental Capacity: Outcomes of a Therapeutic Parent Group Run Concurrently with a Social Skills Group for Their Young Person

Introduction: Raising a child with social communication and emotion regulation challenges, such as those experienced in the context of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is associated with family disruption and parental stress. Research shows that parents of children and young people with ASD can experience challenges in managing their child’s behaviour and experience a sense of disconnectedness, a lack of support from the “system”, and a broader lack of understanding within the community. Methods: A therapeutic parent group was held in parallel to a young person group working on social skills. The young person cohort included both boys and girls in early adolescence with neurodevelopmental diagnoses. The parent group provided a space for participants to focus on themselves, tune into their own emotions, and receive support in relation to their lived experiences of parenting. Parental outcomes were assessed using standard measures, and the experiences of the groups were captured qualitatively through focus groups with both parents and staff. Results: The project found that the therapeutic parent group was effective in supporting parents to feel less stressed and more in control, as well as less alone in their parenting journey. Qualitative data indicated that the groups filled an identified need within the service and were engaging and acceptable to parents.

Protocol for an intervention for new parents experiencing moderate psychosocial adversity: pilot feasibility randomised trial

ABSTRACT Background Parents exposed to psychosocial adversities often experience challenges which, combined with the needs of a new-born infant, can be difficult to manage and increase the risk of poor outcomes for both parents and infants. Psychosocial adversity can disrupt the development of parental-foetal attachment to the baby during pregnancy, which can have a negative effect on parental care and quality of interaction during the postnatal period. This intervention is based on the proposition that enhanced parental capacity to mentalise and emotionally connect to unborn children during pregnancy, and better understanding about how to manage distressing infant behaviour (i.e., persistent crying and sleep problems) will: (i) promote the development of secure parent-infant attachment; (ii) improve antenatal bonding and postnatal parenting; and, (ii) reduce parental distress. Method This protocol is for a pilot randomised control trial evaluating a new intervention, which makes use of innovative technologies to support parents experiencing moderate psychosocial adversity (Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12622000287730). The New Technology for New Parents (NTNP) intervention provides support using antenatal ultrasound scans and ‘virtual home visits’ during the perinatal period. Quantitative outcomes include mentalising capacity, parental-foetal/infant attachment, and parental competence. Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, no study has evaluated the combined effectiveness of two novel technologies (3D/4D ultrasound scans and virtual home visits) to support parents across the antenatal and postnatal periods. This protocol, which includes the rationale for this innovative intervention, addresses a gap in services for parents experiencing moderate psychosocial adversity.

Borderline personality disorder and parenting capacity: Understanding child protection population characteristics

Objective This paper describes an audit of borderline symptoms, risk factors for maltreatment and types of abuse among parents who completed a parenting capacity assessment at a South Australian health-based child protection service. Method A retrospective case note audit within a 28-month period was conducted and included parents ( n = 107) who had completed a Mclean’s screening instrument for borderline personality disorder and/or had a psychiatric review with a formal diagnosis. Parents who had a borderline personality disorder diagnosis or endorsed five or more symptoms were categorised into the ‘high’ borderline symptom group. Rates of parental risk factors for maltreatment and type of abuse were compared between parents with low or high borderline symptoms. Results Forty percent of parents endorsed at least five borderline symptoms on the screening tool. On average, parents high in borderline symptoms had a greater number of parental risk factors. Conclusions These findings highlight the importance of screening for personality pathology among parents presenting to child protection services. Foundational training for staff and making evidence-based interventions available should be considered in such settings.

Children on the Move in China: Insights from the Census Data 2000–2020

AbstractUsing data from the 2000, 2010, and 2020 National Population Census of China, this study uncovers evolving trends in the experiences of children in family structures reshaped by China's massive internal migration. We develop a new framework to examine family structures from the census data, which facilitates a detailed exploration of family splits as a result of migration. Our results show a significant surge in the proportion of children in migrant families and the trend of children on the move. While the number of left‐behind children far exceeded that of migrant children in 2000, the picture became the opposite in 2020, signifying an enhanced capacity and inclination for migrant parents to bring their children to migration destinations. This shift has also engendered a more heterogeneous population of children in migrant families. Notably, a subgroup warranting particular attention is that of “left‐behind child migrants,” those moving to proximate towns or cities without both parents. This emergence blurs the traditional urban–rural dichotomies and underscores the intricacies of a family split within the migrant population. Finally, we reflect on the significant role of educational aspirations and obstacles that influence these migratory patterns.

Maternal Ambivalence Questionnaire (MAQ): Development and preliminary validation.

Maternal ambivalence refers to the simultaneous experience of both negative and positive feelings about motherhood and the child. It has been suggested that maternal ambivalence exists on a continuum from manageable (healthy) to unmanageable (problematic) and can have wide-ranging psychological consequences. However, there are currently no empirically validated measures for examining manageable or unmanageable maternal ambivalence. In this article, we outline the development and initial validation of the Maternal Ambivalence Questionnaire (MAQ). An online study was conducted to evaluate the factor structure, construct validity, reliability, and relationships of the MAQ with demographic characteristics. The participants included a community sample of 502 mothers living in the United Kingdom with at least one child aged 0-11 years. Statistical analyses demonstrated a good fit for the 20-item measure and suggested five theoretically consistent factors. These factors are assessment of one's perception of self as a mother, awareness of conflicting feelings about motherhood, suppression of negative feelings about motherhood, internalization of negative feelings about motherhood, and externalization of negative feelings about motherhood. These factors were related in theoretically expected ways to parental reflective functioning capacity, parenting stress and guilt, and symptoms of depression. The study's findings indicate that the MAQ is a robust and reliable measure that contributes to a theoretical understanding and practical assessment of maternal ambivalence, facilitating insight into emotional challenges of motherhood. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Психообразователни програми за повишаване на родителския капацитет за рефлексия и саморефлексия – систематичен обзор

Psychoeducational programs to enhance reflective parental capacity are among the main prevention and intervention strategies for parents of children with behavioural and emotional problems. The objectives of the present systematic literature review are: 1) to identify evidence-based psychoeducational programs for parents of children over three years of age that aim to increase parental capacity for reflection and self-reflection; 2) to describe the characteristics and outcomes of these programs on parameters of parental functioning, parent-child relationships, and children's behaviours. This systematic review follows the protocol for systematic review (PRISMA-P). In four of the studied programs, there are data on a significant increase in the ability to reflect, in two of them - on a reduction in parental stress, and in the others, tendencies are reported. Direct comparison between programs is impossible due to differences in research design.

Sociodemographic inequality in children aged 0–19 years with and without parents diagnosed with heart disease: a Danish nationwide register-based study

ObjectivesThis study aimed to estimate the prevalence of children aged 0–19 years who have a parent with a history of heart disease and investigate their sociodemographic characteristics. Study designA national register-based study. MethodsFrom the Danish Fertility Register and the Danish National Patient Register information on children of parents with ischemic heart disease, arrhythmia, heart failure and heart valve disease in the period 1981–2018 were obtained. Statistical analyses including descriptive statistics, logistic and linear regression were used to illuminate associations between parental heart disease and sociodemographic characteristics. ResultsThe study population consisted of 142,480 children aged 0–19 years with at least one parent diagnosed with heart disease, corresponding to every 9th child in Denmark in 2018. The number increased from 4.5% in 2002 to 11.1% in 2018. In the study population most had a father with heart disease (57.8%) and 4.6% had two parents with heart disease. Parents with heart disease had significantly higher odds of being out of work (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.64; 1.72), in a single-parent household (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.07; 1.11), divorced or widowed (OR: 1.10, 95% CI 1.08; 1.12), having a lower educational level (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.33; 1.37), and a lower family income (−42,410 DKR, 95% CI -50,306; −34,514, P < 0.0001) compared to those without heart disease. ConclusionChildren affected by parental heart disease comprise a substantial part of the Danish population. These have significantly different sociodemographic characteristics than children in families without parental heart disease, which might affect social heritage and parental capacity.

Feasibility and acceptability of a family navigator program to support foster parents of youth with mental health concerns

This pilot study assessed the acceptability and feasibility of the PROviding ACcess To InnoVative &Evidence-Based Intervention (PROACTIVE) Family Navigator Program for foster parents of children with mental health needs. Foster parents (n = 7) participated in four video conference sessions with a family navigator over the course of one month. In this study, family navigators were psychology doctoral students with mental health training. Feasibility and acceptability were measured with post-session surveys completed by family navigators and participants as well as a participant-completed survey following completion of the program. Feasibility and acceptability were both found to be excellent. Foster parents provided very positive satisfaction ratings for all aspects of the program. This pilot study provided preliminary support for the feasibility and acceptability of the PROACTIVE Family Navigator Program. With the experienced gained in this pilot work, we will design a randomized controlled trial with a fully powered sample to evaluate the efficacy of this program on building foster parent capacity to manage their child’s mental health needs.

Antenatal Psychiatric Hospitalization: Factors Associated With Newborns' Custody Under Child Protective Services (CPS)

BackgroundPsychiatric illness during pregnancy is associated with adverse obstetric outcomes, but investigations for its impact on parenting capacity are limited. Child Protective Services (CPS) contact disproportionately impacts families marginalized by poverty, mental health disorders, and substance use disorders. Recently, there have been investigations into the significance of psychiatric illness and non-mental health-related factors that predict CPS custody arrangements. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective review of electronic medical records over a 10-year period (2012-2021) for patients who were pregnant during their inpatient psychiatric hospitalizations. We followed 81 patients (18 to 43 years) who delivered within the hospital. The study endpoint was whether the newborn was placed under CPS custody. For the purposes of this study, psychiatric illness was categorized by the presence or absence of psychotic symptoms. We utilized logistic regressions to investigate the associations of these demographic and clinical factors with the study outcome of CPS custody. ResultsFor the entire study population, 64.2% of newborns had CPS custody arrangements. In multivariate analysis, after adjusting for potential confounders, patients with psychotic symptoms were at increased odds of having CPS custody arrangements (odds ratio [OR]= 8.43; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 2.16-32.85) compared with patients without psychotic symptoms. Furthermore, multivariate analyses revealed that patients with a history of homelessness also had a higher risk (OR = 6.59; 95% CI: 1.24-35.13) of CPS custody arrangements for their newborns than those without a history of homelessness. DiscussionThe results of this study suggest that among pregnant and psychiatrically hospitalized patients, those with psychotic symptoms are significantly more likely to have CPS custody arrangements compared to those without psychotic symptoms. However, it is important to note that psychotic symptoms were not definitive for the inability to parent appropriately. In fact, nearly 25% of the study population who had psychotic symptoms were able to successfully transition home with their newborns as mothers. This emphasizes the importance of optimizing the management of psychotic symptoms, particularly among those who have children or plan to have children. The findings of this study also highlight the chronic impacts that those who have struggled with homelessness may experience, including parenting capacity after homelessness resolves.

Is Trauma-Informed Care Possible without Information? - Experience of Trauma Awareness among Estonian Foster Parents and Residential Caregivers.

Trauma-informed care (TIC) is a relatively new topic in the Estonian child protection system, but it has become the particular focus of substitute care. The Estonian child protection system focuses on protecting children from maltreatment, and neglects the adult carers' right to adequate information about the child's trauma experience. This makes trauma-informed care vague. This article is based on focus groups conducted for a wider study that aims to develop the basis for a TIC training course for foster parents and staff members working as direct caregivers in residential substitute care. The foster parents and staff members participated in four focus groups, with special attention on their experiences with TIC. The participants eagerly shared their experiences, and thematic narrative analysis was used during the data analysis. The central theme of the participants' stories was the need for information about the child's traumatic past. The findings indicate that a complex interplay exists between the needs of children entering substitute care and the capacity of the foster parents and residential care staff to meet those needs. It is complicated for a child to heal from trauma if the child's past is hidden from their carers. This could result in re-traumatisation and hinder the child from making sense of past trauma. Estonia's child protection system needs greater awareness of the impact of trauma on the child's behaviour and how to help the child heal. This is directly connected to the need for clear and precise information, which is one of the basic rights of the child.

Realizacja prawa do prywatności w rozumieniu poszanowania życia rodzinnego i wykonywania opieki rodzicielskiej w warunkach ubóstwa. Uwagi na gruncie wybranych norm prawa międzynarodowego publicznego i Europejskiej konwencji praw człowieka

Interference in family life is a particular form of threat to poor families, especially when the only impetus for state action in the form of an interference in the right to privacy is the poor material situation of the family. The article reflects on the possible threats to the realisation of family life within the framework of the right to privacy established under public international law, in particular the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). In the view of the Human Rights Committee, the family should be oriented towards enabling the child to remain in the care of his or her parents or to return to their care or to other family members. The Committee on the Rights of the Child points out that the implementation of the right to privacy prohibits the recognition of material poverty as a basis and justification for taking a child out of parental care and into foster care. The European Court of Human Rights case law presented in the article confirms that children from poor families are at risk of being taken away from their parents and placed in foster care due to the financial status of the family, which may constitute a violation of the Article 8 of the ECHR. The fact that state authorities wrongly equate the lack of sufficient resources to support the family with child neglect poses a threat to the family life of poor individuals. Victims of violations of family bonds through harm to the private lives of family members should be protected under the human rights system. The following analysis makes it possible to identify the relevant problems from the point of view of the impoverished person or/and family, such as the questioning of parental capacity as a consequence of the erroneous equation of poverty with child neglect, or the withdrawal of the right to material assistance, all of which affect the realisation of family life, and further enables the identification of legal remedies for protection.