Positive Parenting Behaviors Research Articles

Adverse Childhood Experiences in Parental History and how they Relate to Subsequent Observed Parent–Child Interaction: A Systematic Review

Abstract Background Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in parental history have been associated with higher self-reported rates of negative parenting behaviors and lower self-reported rates of positive parenting behaviors. Further research is needed to explore the association between parental ACEs and the observed parent–child interaction quality. Parent–child interactions are a potential pathway behind the continuity of ACEs across generations. Objective This review aimed to expand on existing literature by synthesizing evidence on the associations between parental ACEs and parent–child interactions, assessed through videotaped observations, the gold standard for interaction assessment. Methods A systematic literature search conducted in October 2022 in Medline, EMBASE, and PsycInfo identified twenty-four articles. The studies assessed parental childhood adversity and the quality of parent–child interaction across high- and low-risk samples. Results In 79% of studies, higher rates of childhood adversity were related to lower quality of observed parent–child interaction. Childhood abuse and neglect were linked to fewer positive and more negative parenting behaviors. Among household challenges, only witnessing family violence negatively impacted interaction quality. In 58% of studies, ACEs directly influenced interaction, while in 21% this effect was mediated by other factors. This pattern held across different sample types. Conclusions The evidence suggesting a relationship between parental ACEs and lower quality of parent–child interaction is robust, given the reliability and validity of observational measures. Considering the influence of the quality of parent–child interaction on a child’s development, interventions and prevention programs focusing on parent–child interaction should consider screening for parental ACEs.

The Association between ADHD Symptoms and Antisocial Behavior: Differential Effects of Maternal and Paternal Parenting Behaviors

The present study examined the moderating role of maternal and paternal behaviors on the association between ADHD symptoms and antisocial behavior. The data are from a Swedish community-based study with 2886 adolescent participants, aged 13–15. We analyzed the adolescents’ self-reports of negative and positive parental behavior, ADHD symptoms, and antisocial behavior. Results show that ADHD symptoms significantly predicted levels of antisocial behavior in both maternal- and paternal-moderated regression models. Also, several significant interaction effects emerged. Fathers’ attempted understanding and mothers’ warmth significantly buffered the association with antisocial behavior. In turn, mothers’ negative behaviors—both coldness and rejection and angry outbursts—significantly enhanced the association with antisocial behavior, whereas only fathers’ angry outbursts emerged as a significant moderator. Thus, there is support for differential effects of maternal and paternal behavior on the association between ADHD symptoms and adolescent antisocial behavior.

The Association Between Parenting Stress and Parenting Behaviors in Chinese Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Mediating Role of Parental Anxiety and Depression

ABSTRACT Background Parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) experience heightened levels of parenting stress and more affective symptoms. Although the relationship between parenting stress and mental health has been extensively studied, limited understanding exists regarding parenting behaviors and related factors. This study aimed to explore the role of parents’ affective symptoms in the relationship between parenting stress and parenting behaviors among Chinese parents of children with ASD. Methods A total of 185 parents participated in one online survey, reporting parenting behaviors, parenting stress, depression and anxiety symptoms. Results (1) A higher level of parenting stress was associated with reduced positive parenting behaviors and increased negative parenting behaviors. (2). Parents’ anxiety and depression symptoms mediated the relationship between parenting stress and positive parenting behaviors. Conclusion Parenting stress has potential detrimental effects on parenting behaviors in Chinese parents of children with ASD through the mediation of parental depression and anxiety.

Testing Parenting Self-Esteem as an Indicator of Mothers and Fathers Who Are at Risk for Aversive Responses to Disruptive Child Behavior.

Extensive literature demonstrates that parents of children with disruptive behaviors consistently report lower parenting self-esteem (i.e., satisfaction and efficacy) compared to parents of children without disruptive behaviors. However, little is known about whether having low parenting self-esteem results in negative parenting behavior while managing disruptive child behavior, and whether associations vary in strength depending on the clinical significance of the child's disruptive behavior. The current study examines 90 parent couples who were randomly assigned to interact with a 9- to 12-year-old confederate exhibiting either typical or disruptive behaviors. Parenting self-esteem moderated the association between disruptive child behavior and positive parenting behavior, such that mothers with low efficacy had a stronger positive association between disruptive child behavior and positive parenting behaviors. However, fathers with low efficacy had a stronger negative association between disruptive behaviors and positive parenting behavior. Exploratory analyses yielded mixed results. Specifically, mothers with low self-esteem and a child with ADHD had a stronger negative association between disruptive child behaviors and positive parenting compared to mothers who interacted with a confederate or did not have a child with ADHD. Results from the current study extend findings regarding the influence of parenting self-esteem on the association of disruptive child behavior and parenting behaviors, as moderating effects of parenting self-esteem was demonstrated for both mothers and fathers within the study.

Stress and child internalizing symptoms: Examining the moderating role of Latino fathers' warmth and support.

Latino immigrants within the United States experience various stressors, which have been linked to the development and exacerbation of internalizing symptoms among Latino youth. Therefore, it is crucial to explore factors that may buffer the impact of stress among immigrant families. Fathers may influence child outcomes through positive parenting behaviors, yet Latino fathers have been underrepresented in research. This study examined how paternal warmth and support may moderate the association between the accumulation of stress and child internalizing symptoms among low-income, Latino immigrant families. Participants included 62 children between the ages of 6 and 10, and their paternal caregivers (94% fathers; 90% born in Mexico). This study utilized a multi-method approach including parent-report, child-report and observational measures. Participants completed questionnaires and video-recorded family interaction tasks during home visits. Stress was positively associated with child-reported depression. Self-reported paternal warmth was associated with fewer parent-reported child internalizing symptoms and moderated the effects of stress on symptoms. Analyses showed a significant positive association between paternal stress and child internalizing symptoms for children with the lowest levels of parental warmth. However, when paternal warmth was high, accumulation of stress and child internalizing symptoms were not related. Thus, high levels of warmth buffered the impact of stress on internalizing symptoms. This study highlights the importance of Latino fathers' parenting behaviors on child internalizing symptoms.

유아기 자녀를 둔 어머니의 양육 불안과 양육 행동의 관계

Objectives The purposes of this study were to investigate the relationship between mothers’ parenting anxiety and parenting behavior(positive parenting behavior, negative parenting behavior) for their early childhood children. Methods To verify this research problem, data were analyzed on 290 mothers who were raising at least one children between 2 and 6 years old across the country. For the collected data, descriptive statistics, adequacy correlation analysis, hierarchical regression analysis, and sequential dual mediating effect analysis were performed using SPSS 26.0 and Macro v4.0. Results First, parenting anxiety, parenting stress, and coparenting of early childhood mothers all showed significant correlation with parenting behavior. Second, as a result of verifying the individual mediating effect, parenting stress showed a complete mediating effect and coparenting a partial mediating effect. Third, the dual mediating effects of parenting stress and coparenting were completely mediated, and at this time, it was verified that the influence of coparenting was greater than parenting stress. Conclusions By confirming the meaiating role of parenting stress and coparenting in the relationship between parenting anxiety and parenting behavior, empirical evidence has been established regarding the psychological variables influencing parenting behavior and the significance of coparenting.

Positive parenting and adolescent prosocial behaviour – a mediation analysis with representative data

ABSTRACT Understanding factors promoting adolescent prosocial behaviour is crucial for positive development. This study explores how positive parenting relates to prosocial behaviour. Utilizing data from a nationally representative sample of 5,317 Finnish adolescents (mean age 15.2, 51.3% girls), we examined the mediating roles of self-control, identification with family and friends, and the moderating effects of gender and antisocial peers. The results revealed that both parental warmth and monitoring were positively associated with prosocial behaviour. Self-control, identification with family and friends, and gender significantly influenced this relationship. Boys appeared more receptive to the positive influence of parenting, while the presence of antisocial peers weakened the link between parental warmth and prosociality. Furthermore, identification with family and friends strengthened the positive effects of parenting on prosocial behaviour. These findings underscore the complex interplay of individual and social factors, highlighting their roles in shaping adolescent prosocial development.

Effects of Negative Emotionality on Parenting and Problem Behaviors During Early Childhood: Moderating Effects of Mother and Fathers’ Effortful Control and Parenting Behavior

Objectives: This study aimed to examine how mothers’ and fathers’ effortful control moderates the relationship between young children’s negative emotionality and mothers and fathers’ parenting behavior, and how parenting behavior moderates the relationship between young children’s negative emotionality and their problematic behavior.Methods: A survey was conducted among 143 fathers and 205 mothers of children aged 3-5 years through self-report assessments of their young children’s negative emotionality, problem behavior, and their own effortful control, and parenting behavior. Data were analyzed using correlation analysis, frequency analysis, and hierarchical regression analyses with SPSS 22.0.Results: Mothers’ effortful control significantly moderated the association between children’s negative emotionality and the mothers’ rejective parenting behaviors. Mothers’ reactive parenting behavior moderated the association between children’s negative emotionality and problematic behavior. Fathers’ rejective parenting behavior significantly moderated the effect of children’s negative emotionality on problematic behavior.Conclusion: This study is meaningful as it confirms a two-way relationship between children and their mothers or fathers according to “a process model of determinants of parenting”. Partially supported by “Differential susceptibility model”, the parenting behavior moderated the effect of children’s negative emotionality on their problematic behavior. In addition, mothers and fathers’ effortful control affected their positive parenting behavior; however only mothers’ internal factors moderated the effect of children’s negative emotionality on the parenting behavior. Finally, verifying whether mothers and fathers’ parenting behavior moderates the effect of children’s negative emotions on problem behavior differently is important.

Acceptability of corporal punishment and use of different parenting practices across high‐income countries

AbstractWorldwide, many children experience corporal punishment. Most research on corporal punishment has focused on parents' attitudes and use of corporal punishment; however, other relevant parenting factors and practices have rarely been examined. This study explored differences among countries with various levels of progress toward a total legal ban of corporal punishment in parents' acceptability of corporal punishment, perception of parenting as a private concern, relationship with their child and parenting practices: consistency, coercive parenting, use of smacking and positive encouragement. Parents (N = 6760) of 2‐ to 12‐year‐old children from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom completed the International Parenting Survey, an online cross‐sectional survey. One‐way ANOVAs, and MANCOVAs (after controlling for parent age, gender and educational level), indicated significant country differences. Overall, there was no clear link between corporal punishment bans and positive parenting beliefs, practices and behaviours. The two countries where corporal punishment is banned showed different patterns. Parents in Germany showed less acceptability and use of smacking; however, parents in Spain reported the highest use of coercive parenting. Country differences suggest that beyond a legal ban, attention is needed on how to support parents to raise their children in a positive, nurturing environment.

The Effects of Childhood Maternal Attachment on the Parenting Behavior of Mothers with Preschoolers: The Mediating Effects of Adult Attachment and Marital Satisfaction

The aim of this study was to explore the mediating effects of adult attachment and marital satisfaction on the relationship between childhood maternal attachment and parenting behavior. A total of 372 mothers of preschoolers completed questionnaires on childhood maternal attachment, adult attachment, marital satisfaction, and parenting behavior. Adult attachment was analyzed by distinguishing between attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance. Parenting behavior was categorized into positive and negative behaviors. For the main analyses, Preacher and Hayes’s PROCESS macro program was used to examine serial mediating effects. The results revealed that attachment anxiety mediated the effects of mothers’ childhood attachment experiences on both positive and negative parenting behavior. However, attachment avoidance only mediated the effects on positive parenting behavior. Marital satisfaction mediated the effects of mothers’ childhood attachment experiences on both positive and negative parenting behavior. Notably, the sequential mediating effects of attachment anxiety and marital satisfaction were not significant for either positive or negative parenting behavior. By contrast, the sequential mediating effects of attachment avoidance and marital satisfaction were significant for both positive and negative parenting behavior. These findings elucidate the predictive factors for parenting behavior within a process model framework, providing valuable insights for parental education and counseling aimed at enhancing mothers' parenting practices.

Effectiveness of Remote Implementation of the ACT Raising Safe Kids Program: A Pilot Study

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of remote implementation of the ACT Raising Safe Kids (ACT-RSK) program. The ACT-RSK program is an evidence-based group parenting program designed to promote positive parenting. The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated the creation of a remote implementation guide to deliver the program via telehealth. A small (N = 21) sample of caregivers of children aged 1 to 10 living in the USA participated in the 9-week program and completed pre- and post-intervention questionnaires. ACT Facilitators provided feasibility and fidelity feedback through a focus group and questionnaires. There was a significant improvement in positive parenting skills and a decrease in verbal and physical punishment. There were no improvements in parental nurturing or limiting and monitoring children’s media use. Facilitators and participants found remote implementation to be feasible and acceptable. Facilitators were able to maintain high fidelity to the model. The remote implementation of the ACT-RSK program has benefits to positive parental behaviors and discipline, but possibly not limiting and monitoring of children’s media use and nurturing behavior. However, characteristics of families’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic may have influenced these results. Remote implementation of the ACT-RSK program can be useful for promoting positive parental behaviors and discipline.

Parent Psychopathology and Behavioral Effects on Child Brain–Symptom Networks in the ABCD Study

Parents play a notable role in the development of child psychopathology. In this study, we investigated the role of parent psychopathology and behaviors on child brain-symptom networks to understand the role of intergenerational transmission of psychopathology. Few studies have documented the interaction of child psychopathology, parent psychopathology, and child neuroimaging. We used the baseline cohort of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (N= 7,151, female-at-birth= 3,619, aged 9-11 years) to derive brain-symptom networks using sparse canonical correlation analysis with the Child Behavior Checklist and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. We then correlated parent psychopathology symptoms and parental behaviors with child brain-symptom networks. Finally, we used the significant correlations to understand, using the mediation R package, whether parent behaviors mediated the effect of parent psychopathology on child brain connectivity. We observed 3 brain-symptom networks correlated with externalizing (r= 0.19, internalizing (r= 0.17), and neurodevelopmental symptoms (r= 0.18). These corresponded to differences in connectivity between the default mode-default mode, default mode-control, and visual-visual canonical networks. We further detected aspects of parental psychopathology, including personal strength, thought problems, and rule-breaking symptoms to be associated with child brain connectivity. Finally, we found that parental behaviors and symptoms mediate each other's relationship to child brain connectivity. The current study suggests that positive parental behaviors can relieve potentially detrimental effects of parental psychopathology, and vice versa, on symptom-correlated child brain connectivity. Altogether, these results provide a framework for future research and potential targets for parents who experience mental health symptoms to help mitigate potential intergenerational transmission of mental illness. Utilizing data from 7,151 participants in the ABCD Study, the authors found that positive parental behaviors, like acceptance and appropriate parental monitoring may reduce the potentially detrimental effects of parental psychopathology on child brain connectivity. These results provide potential targets for parents that experience mental health symptoms, or clinicians who treat families, to help mitigate potential intergenerational transmission of mental illness.

Longitudinal pathways of maltreated young children: Family stress processes and adverse childhood experiences.

An important issue associated with at-risk families in the child welfare system is the impact of familial stress processes on child developmental outcomes. The present study used the family stress model (FSM) to examine the impact of economic hardship, economic pressure, caregiver emotional distress, caregiver/partner conflict, caregiver harsh parenting, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on child's cognitive, behavioral, and social outcomes. Data from the National Survey on Child and Adolescent Well-Being II were utilized, and 1,363 children (709 male, 654 female) ages 2-18 months (at Wave 1) were included in the present study. Three waves of data were analyzed in the longitudinal structural equation model, with economic hardship and economic pressure at Wave 1, caregiver emotional distress, caregiver/partner conflict, and caregiver harsh parenting at Wave 2 predicting ACEs and child outcomes at Wave 3. Results were overall consistent with the FSM in that economic hardship led to economic pressure, and caregiver emotional distress and caregiver/partner conflict led to harsh parenting, which subsequently led to ACEs. ACEs led to negative child cognitive outcomes, and for female children only, ACEs led to internalizing/externalizing behaviors. The results demonstrate that over time, familial stress processes led to negative child developmental outcomes in this sample. Study results also highlight the inextricable connection between mild harsh parenting behaviors and more severe forms of maltreatment on child outcomes. The prevention of child maltreatment is emphasized, with a specific focus on increasing positive parenting behaviors and decreasing caregiver emotional distress and caregiver/partner conflict. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

COVID‐19 stress, marital conflict, social capital, and parenting of preschoolers

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to examine associations between mothers' COVID‐19 stress, marital conflict, and parenting, focusing on mothers raising children ages 3–5. Specifically, we examined the potentially protective role of mothers' social capital for parenting behaviors.BackgroundDespite numerous studies reporting the negative impacts of mothers' stress on marital relationships and parenting behaviors, little is known about how mothers' stress due to COVID‐19 is associated with marital conflict and parenting behaviors.MethodWe collected data from 306 mothers in South Korea in 2021 during the early stages of the COVID‐19 pandemic.ResultsWe found that marital conflict significantly mediated the relationship between mothers' COVID‐19 stress and positive parenting behaviors. The moderating effect of social capital was not significant in the negative relationship between COVID‐19 stress and positive parenting behaviors but was significant in the negative relationship between marital conflict and positive parenting behaviors. Further analysis showed a significant negative relationship between marital conflict and positive parenting only when the level of social capital was equal to the mean value or higher, and the relationship was stronger with higher levels of social capital.ConclusionThe findings show that mothers' stress due to COVID‐19 can be associated with increased marital conflict and decreased parental functioning.ImplicationsThe significant moderating effect of social capital in the relationship between marital conflict and positive parenting behaviors highlights the need to examine social capital's role in the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Parent–adolescent discrepancies in positive parenting and adolescent problem behaviors in Chinese families

Based on the discrepancy–maladaptive hypothesis and general strain theory, in this study, we examined two key aspects: first, the mediating role of self-control in the relationship between parent–adolescent discrepancies in positive parenting and adolescent internalizing and externalizing problems, and second, variations in problem behavior among subgroups with different parent–adolescent dyads reporting patterns. The participants were 349 intact Chinese families, with parents as the primary caregivers and teenagers aged 15–18 years who are attending secondary vocational schools. The results revealed that adolescents generally perceived lower levels of caring and behavioral control than parents. Compared to behavioral control, discrepancies in perceived levels of caring had more significant predicting levels of internalizing and externalizing problems, and the relationship between discrepancies of caring and internalizing and externalizing problems was mediated by self-control. Latent profile analysis revealed three parent–adolescent responding patterns (subgroups); compared to the other subgroups, only the subgroup characterized by adolescents perceiving lower caring and behavioral control than parents exhibited higher levels of internalizing and externalizing problems. The findings of this study provide insights on how parent–adolescent discrepancies may lead to adolescent problem behaviors and highlight the importance of self-control as a mediating mechanism.

Adolescents' sleep mediates maternal depressive problems and parenting behaviors: daughter and son differences in a majority Black and Hispanic sample.

Parents who experience depressive symptoms are less likely to use positive parenting behaviors, in part because of sad affect and inconsistency, which can lead to disengaged parenting. Their children also are more likely to get too little sleep, get too much sleep, or have trouble sleeping, leading to increased irritability and defiance, which may make it more difficult for a parent to use clear rules and result in more harsh parenting behaviors. The current study examined whether adolescents' sleep (too little, too much, trouble sleeping) mediated the relation between maternal depression and parenting behaviors (harsh parenting, positive parenting, clear rules). Further, a child's sex was examined as a moderator (ie, moderated mediation). The sample (n = 318) consisted of mothers reporting on adolescents aged 16-18 years (mean = 16.89, standard deviation = .429; 53.4% female) from the 10th wave of the Schools and Families Educating Children Study. Measures included the Child Behavior Checklist, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and the Parenting Practices Questionnaire. Too little sleep mediated the relation between maternal depressive problems and clear rules in the overall sample (β = .05) and between maternal depressive problems and positive parenting (β = .11), clear rules (β = .13), and harsh parenting (β = .14) for only sons. Too much sleep mediated the relation between maternal depressive problems and harsh parenting in the overall sample (β = .03), but no mediation occurred for sons and daughters separately. Trouble sleeping did not serve as a mediator in the overall sample but mediated the relation between maternal depressive problems and clear rules for daughters (β = .03) and between maternal depressive problems and harsh parenting for sons (β = .09). These results suggest that adolescents' sleep difficulties may be one contributing factor to why mothers who are dealing with depressive symptoms have difficulty using clear rules/positive parenting and use more harsh parenting behaviors. In addition, several of these mediations differed for sons and daughters, indicating important sex differences that may help to better inform and design intervention programs for mothers experiencing depression. Stearns MA, McCrae CS, Curtis AF, etal. Adolescents' sleep mediates maternal depressive problems and parenting behaviors: daughter and son differences in a majority Black and Hispanic sample. J Clin Sleep Med. 2024;20(6):849-858.

Bidirectional Relationship between Positive Parenting Behavior and Children's Self-Regulation: A Three-Wave Longitudinal Study.

In this study, we used a cross-lagged design to explore the relationship between children's self-regulation and positive parenting behaviors. Children aged 3 years (N = 84) were tested individually three times a year for their hot and cool self-regulation, while their parents' positive parenting behaviors (warmth, structure, and autonomy support) were collected through questionnaires. In the structural equation panel model, bidirectional relations between children's inhibitory control and parental positive parenting were found. Children's inhibitory control and positive parenting predicted changes in each other for the first six months. Such a reciprocal relationship also existed between parental autonomy support and children's inhibitory control. There was a cross-lagged effect between parental warmth and children' inhibitory control rather than a simultaneous relation. Children's inhibitory control positively predicted parental structural behaviors rather than vice versa. Children's delayed waiting and positive parenting (autonomy support) were only positively correlated, rather than having a lagging effect. All the relationships faded over time.

A randomized waitlist control trial of the Make the Connection® online program for caregivers of infants and young children: Study protocol.

A positive child-caregiver relationship is one of the strongest determinants of child health and development, yet many caregivers report challenges in establishing a positive relationship with their child. For over 20 years, Make the Connection® (MTC), an evidence-based parenting program, has been delivered in-person by child-caring professionals to over 120,000 parents to improve positive parenting behaviours and attitudes. Recently, MTC has been adapted into a 'direct to caregiver' online platform to increase scalability and accessibility. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the online modality of MTC in increasing parenting knowledge, attitudes, and the perceived relationship with their child, and to understand barriers and facilitators to its access. Two hundred caregivers with children aged 0-3 years old will be recruited through Public Health agencies in Ontario, Canada. Participants will be randomly placed in the intervention or waitlist control group. Both groups will complete a battery of questionnaires at study enrolment and 8 weeks later. The intervention group will receive the MTC online program during the 8-week period, while the waitlist group will receive the program after an 8-week wait. The study questionnaires will address demographic information, caregivers' relational attitudes towards their infant, self-competence in their caregiver role, depression, and caregiver stress, as well as caregivers' and infants' emotion regulation. Results from this study will add critical knowledge to the development, scaling, and roll out of the MTC online program, thus increasing its capacity to reach a greater number of families. The study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov on 15 March 2023 (NCT05770414).

“It’s hard because it’s something new”: challenges for forcibly displaced parents upon resettlement

PurposeParent–child relationships formed in early childhood have profound implications for a child’s development and serve as a determinant for bio-social outcomes in adulthood. Positive parenting behaviors play a strong role in this development and are especially impactful during times of crisis because they buffer stressors that may lead to externalizing and internalizing behaviors. Children of forced migrants experience numerous extreme stressors and their parents may struggle with parenting due to their own adjustment and trauma histories. The purpose of this study is to understand how these parents conceptualize their struggles with parenting upon resettlement.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted semi-structured interviews with 27 migrant parents from three communities (Afghan, Burmese and Congolese) to understand their parenting experiences. The authors applied thematic text analysis to analyze the data.FindingsThe authors identified four interrelated themes on parenting challenges across responses: adjustment to a new culture, acculturation differences, fear for children and balancing multiple responsibilities. The findings demonstrate that parents of different cultural backgrounds share certain experiences when negotiating a new cultural identity after resettlement. Providing educational programs that focus on these concerns may result in better outcomes for both parent and child.Originality/valueThese findings extend and reinforce the existing literature on parenting in a new context. While the parents in this research come from different cultures, they share certain experiences that are important to consider when developing parenting programs, social services and other interventions, such as what may be negotiable and nonnegotiable practices for parents of different cultures.

Applications of dialectical behavioural therapy in the perinatal period: A scoping review.

Psychological distress is the most common complication of pregnancy. High-risk concerns can include severe emotion dysregulation, suicidality and self-injury, and health risk behaviours, which bear substantial consequences for caregivers and families. Yet, effective, comprehensive interventions for high-risk caregivers have received limited attention. Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is a frontline treatment for such concerns. Accordingly, we conducted a scoping review on the implementation of DBT in the perinatal period. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Seven studies were identified; study designs included case studies and single-arm pilot trials. Most studies used DBT-informed protocols with significant adaptations, few included multiple components of DBT (i.e. skills group, individual therapy, phone coaching and consultation team), and none met criteria for adherent delivery of all four modes of DBT treatment. Findings suggest DBT-informed interventions may be successfully implemented to treat a range of perinatal mental health symptoms, including borderline personality disorder, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress, and to promote emotion regulation and positive parenting behaviours. While results provide preliminary support for perinatal DBT, this literature is scant and empirical rigour considerably lacking. Clinical implications and future directions are outlined to aid researchers and providers in addressing the ongoing perinatal mental health crisis and developing sorely needed interventions to address the needs of high-risk caregivers.