Positive Parenting Practices Research Articles

Relationship between parenting practices and behavioral problems of children attending a Tertiary Mental Health Institute of North East India

Introduction: The parent plays a vital role in promoting and supporting the overall development of children from infancy to adulthood. Parenting practices are related to different outcomes in children's life. Hence, the researcher aimed to assess the relationship between parenting practices and behavioral problems of children. Subjects and Methods: A quantitative approach and correlational design was used. Total 80 primary caregivers of children (6–17 years), attending a Tertiary Mental Health Institute of North East India were selected using systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected using Sociodemographic Pro forma, Alabama Parenting Questionnaire, Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire after obtaining written informed consent from the participants. Results: Overall 55% of the participants had scored toward more positive parenting practices and 56.2% toward less negative parenting practices. Regarding behavioral problems of children, 77.5% had total difficulty levels in the abnormal range with 52.5% at substantial risk for emotional symptoms, 78.8% for conduct problems, 43.8% for hyperactivity/inattention, and 73.8% for peer problems. Participant's negative parenting practices were positively correlated with total difficulty score as well as with conduct problems, hyperactivity, and peer problems. Finding further showed that participant's positive parenting practices had a significant association with their educational status, occupation, family income, place of residence, children's birth order, use of mobile phone by children, and negative parenting practices had a significant association with their history of substance use, fights between parent, and children's last academic performance. These findings can be incorporated for developing intervention module for parents of children in the hospital setting as well as in the community.

P90 Latino Father Self-Efficacy for Promoting Healthy Adolescent Behaviors was Associated with Frequency of Parenting Practices

<h3>Background</h3> Hispanic/Latino adolescents have a high prevalence of overweight/obesity and many are not meeting diet and physical activity (PA) recommendations. Latino father food and PA parenting practices can impact adolescent diet and PA behaviors. Paternal self-efficacy (PSE) for promoting healthy eating and PA may enhance frequency of positive food and PA parenting practices and healthy youth behaviors, yet little information is available about these relationships and change in PSE after intervention programs. <h3>Objective</h3> Evaluate relationships between PSE for promoting healthy behaviors, father food and PA parenting practices, and adolescent diet and PA, and intervention-based change in PSE. <h3>Study Design, Setting, Participants</h3> Baseline (n = 190 father/youth (10-14 years) dyads) and intervention data (n = 110 dyads) were used from the community-based, Padres Preparados, Jóvenes Saludables program, a randomized, controlled trial in Minneapolis/St. Paul (2017-2020). Eight-weekly education sessions focused on parenting skills and practices, nutrition and PA. Evaluation survey data were collected pre-post program. <h3>Measurable Outcome/Analysis</h3> PSE, parenting practices, and youth behaviors were measured with scales with acceptable psychometric properties and 24-hour dietary recalls. Regression analyses examined associations between PSE, parenting practices and youth behaviors. Intervention-based change in PSE were evaluated by <i>t</i> tests. <h3>Results</h3> Mean youth age was 11.6 years, 49% were boys. Adolescent screen time was negatively associated with PSE for promoting PA. Increased PSE was positively associated with increased modeling of fruit and vegetable intake and PA and with making fruit and vegetables and PA opportunities available. PSE for promoting PA increased from pre to post program for intervention compared to control group fathers. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Confidence in the ability to promote healthy youth lifestyle behaviors was associated with increased frequency of positive paternal modeling and availability practices. PSE for promoting PA improved from pre to post program. Educators could include strategies to promote PSE in future educational programs.

Parenthood of Male Inmates and Socioemotional Development of their Children

The present study aimed to analyze the socioemotional development of male prisoners’ children and its relationship with the parenting practices of these fathers. The 58 participants answered the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Parenting Practices Inventory, and sociodemographic questions regarding 82 children and adolescents aged 4 to 16 years (M = 8.3; SD = 3.8), mostly males (52.4%). Descriptive analyses, t-test, and Pearson correlation were performed. Conduct problems and emotional symptoms stood out, but only pro-social behaviors were different from what has been reported as typical in the literature. Discipline parenting practices were associated with greater socioemotional difficulties, especially conduct problems, while positive parenting practices, such as affection and socialization, were associated with fewer difficulties. Among the dimensions of the SDQ, the conduct problems component played a central role. Results are discussed within the context of vulnerability of the father-child relationship due to incarceration. The similarity of the findings with what has been reported in studies with the general population emphasizes the need for a critical look at the naturalization of the stigma that negatively affects children and adolescents of incarcerated parents. Their difficulties, socioemotional and behavioral problems, although similar to those of the general population, have distinct repercussions, marked by discrimination. Limitations and future directions are indicated.

The role of emotion regulation and maternal symptoms in Turkish mothers' caregiving helplessness during toddlerhood.

To support mothers’ positive parenting practices and designing effective early interventions in developing countries like Turkey, understanding the factors associated with feelings of helplessness in caregiving can play an important role. Therefore, we explored how mothers’ depression and anxiety symptoms, and emotion regulation strategies of expressive suppression and cognitive reappraisal can contribute to caregiving helplessness during toddlerhood. We also examined whether depression and anxiety can mediate the relationship between emotion regulation strategies and caregiving helplessness. A sample of 552 healthy Turkish mothers (MAge = 32.11) with 1–4 year old healthy children (MAge = 1.51) replied to advertisements we shared face-to-face and filled out a pack of questionnaires including a demographic form, Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, Brief Symptom Inventory and Caregiving Helplessness Questionnaire. A series of path analysis were conducted to reveal the association between emotion regulation strategies (cognitive reappraisal and emotional suppression), depression and anxiety symptoms, and caregiving helplessness. After controlling for socio-economic status (SES), maternal anxiety but not maternal depression positively predicted caregiving helplessnes. Unlike cognitive reappraisal, expressive suppression positively predicted caregiving helplessness. SES had an indirect effect (via suppression) on caregiving helplessness on caregiving helplessness. In toddlerhood, maternal anxiety rather than depression, and expressive supression rather than cogntivie reappraisal could be potential risk factors for caregiving helplessness. Thus, these can be critical target areas for effective early interventions.

“From analog to digital”: The feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of a positive parenting program for street-connected mothers in Kenya

Background: Children of street-connected women in Kenya are at risk of child maltreatment. There have been increasing calls for positive parenting programs for parents experiencing homelessness, however never has one been implemented with this population. We therefore adapted the evidence-based Parenting for Lifelong Health for Young Children program using participatory methods, and piloted the adapted program with street-connected mothers in Kenya. Objectives: To (a) determine if the adapted program was feasible and acceptable with street-connected mothers, and (b) assess indicative effects on child maltreatment, positive parenting, and parental stress. Participants and setting: Two groups of 15 mothers (ages 19+, and 20−) participated between June-July 2018 in Eldoret, Kenya. Participants were eligible if they (a) were the mother of at least one child and (b) self-identified as street-connected. Methods: Feasibility was measured via enrollment, attendance, drop-out rates, and engagement in take-away activities. Focus groups explored program acceptability and program outcomes. Self-report surveys assessed pre-post changes in child maltreatment, parental stress, parental sense of inefficacy, and positive parenting practices. Results: 70% of participants attended >3/4 of sessions, 10% dropped out, and >50% of take-away activities were completed. Participants reported high acceptability and requested its continuation for themselves and other parents. There was an increase in supporting good behaviour (t(21) = 8.15, p < .000) and setting limits (t(18) = 10.03, p < .000); a reduction in physical abuse (t(23) = −2.15, p = .042) and parental stress (t(22) = −7.08, p < .000); results for parental inefficacy were not statistically significant (t(22) = 0.15, p = .882). Conclusions: The adapted program is feasible and acceptable to street-connected mothers, and may reduce child maltreatment and parental stress, and increase positive parenting. Further research should test program effectiveness.

Longitudinal Associations Between Parenting Practices and Youth Sleep Problems.

Sleep problems among youth are highly prevalent and associated with adjustment difficulties. When considering influences on youth's sleep, bidirectional links between youth's sleep health and family functioning have been suggested. Parenting practices are among the many familial factors that could be transactionally related to poor sleep in youth; however, research is lacking on potential longitudinal associations between parenting practices and sleep problems in youth. In addition, sensitive periods for this link are mostly unknown. The current study examined longitudinal relations between constellations of parenting practices and youth sleep health to identify profiles of parenting practices that are predictive of sleep problems in youth across different developmental stages. Participants were 292 parents (M = 36.51, SD = 7.3) of children between the ages of 3 and 14 years (M = 8.4, SD = 3.6). A person-centered approach was used to create profiles across traditionally labeled positive and negative parenting practices, as well as supportive and unsupportive parental emotion socialization strategies. Parenting profiles were then examined as longitudinal predictors of youth sleep problems. Findings revealed 3 distinct parenting profiles, which were differentially associated with sleep problems in youth, with the first profile predicting the lowest levels of sleep problems and the third profile predicting the highest levels of sleep problems, particularly among peripubertal youth. This study extends previous findings by elucidating distinct constellations of parenting practices that are differentially predictive of youth sleep problems and highlighting parenting among the various family processes that can longitudinally contribute to youth's sleep health.

Parental phone use during mealtimes with toddlers and the associations with feeding practices and shared family meals: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundPositive parental feeding practices and a higher frequency of family meals are related to healthier child dietary habits. Parents play an essential role when it comes to the development of their child’s eating habits. However, parents are increasingly distracted by their mobile phone during mealtimes. The aim of this study was to describe the feeding practices and daily shared family meals among parents who use and do not use a mobile phone during mealtimes, and further to explore the associations between the use of a mobile phone during mealtimes and feeding practices and daily shared family meals, respectively.MethodsCross-sectional data from the Food4toddler study were used to explore the association between mobile use during meals and parental feeding practices including family meals. In 2017/2018 parents of toddlers were recruited through social media to participate in the study. In total 298 out of 404 who volunteered to participate, filled in a baseline questionnaire, including questions from the comprehensive feeding practices questionnaire (CFPQ), questions of frequency of family meals and use of mobile phone during meals.ResultsHerein, 4 out of 10 parents reported various levels of phone use (meal distraction) during mealtimes. Parental phone use was associated with lower use of positive parental feeding practices like modelling (B = − 1.05 (95% CI -1.69; − 0.41)) and family food environment (B = − 0.77 (95% CI -1.51; − 0.03)), and more use of negative parental feeding practices like emotional regulation (B = 0.73 (95% CI 0.32; 1.14)) and the use of pressure to eat (B = 1.22 (95% CI 0.41; 2.03)). Furthermore, parental phone use was associated with a lower frequency of daily family breakfast (OR = 0.50 (95% CI 0.31; 0.82)) and dinner (OR = 0.57 (95% CI 0.35; 0.93)).ConclusionsMobile phone use is common among parents during mealtimes, and findings indicate that parental phone use is associated with less healthy feeding practices and shared family meals. These findings highlight the importance of making parents aware of potential impacts of meal distractions.Trial registrationISRCTN92980420. Registered 13 September 2017. Retrospectively registered.

The Importance of Mothers’ and Fathers’ Positive Parenting for Toddlers’ and Preschoolers’ Social-Emotional Adjustment

SYNOPSIS Objective. Parental support, stimulation, positive discipline, and structure are all important for social-emotional adjustment of toddlers and preschoolers. However, less is known about the relative importance of these positive parenting practices. The current cross-sectional study examines the associations between positive parenting practices and child social-emotional difficulties in relation to child age and parental gender. Design. 446 Dutch families (446 mothers, Mage = 33.51 years; 446 fathers, Mage = 35.63 years) rearing a child (46.9% boys) between 17 and 48 months of age (Mage = 31.64) participated. Parents reported on their own positive parenting practices, and mothers reported on child externalizing and internalizing behaviors as an indication of social-emotional difficulties. Results. Increased support from both mothers and fathers, and maternal provision of structure are associated with lower levels of child externalizing and internalizing behaviors. Positive discipline from both mothers and fathers, however, is related to higher levels of child externalizing and internalizing behaviors, and stimulation from both mothers and fathers is unrelated to either. These associations are not moderated by child age and are similar for mothers and fathers, except maternal structure is linked to lower levels of child externalizing and internalizing behaviors, whereas paternal structure is unrelated to child social-emotional difficulties. Conclusions. The present study underscores the significance of investigating the effects of multiple positive parenting practices simultaneously and calls for involving both mothers and fathers in parenting programs.

Parent-Child Role Confusion: Exploring the Role of Family Processes in the Context of Parental Depression

ABSTRACT Objective Parent-child role confusion has been shown to influence developmental outcomes for children whose parents have a history of depression; however, more research is needed to understand the pathways by which parental depression increases risk of role confusion. The current study aimed to extend previous literature by evaluating how different family processes (e.g., interparental conflict, guilt induction, family cohesion, and positive parenting practices) contribute to the development of emotional role confusion in families with a history of parental depression. Method The sample was comprised of 90 parent-child dyads (parent M age = 42, 90% female, 83.3% White; child M age = 11.51, 51.1% female, 75.6% White) participating in the control group of a randomized controlled trial. All parents had a history of depression. A longitudinal path analysis was conducted to evaluate prospective associations in the multiple mediator model. Results Findings from the current study suggest that parental depressive symptoms are not directly related to the development of parent-child emotional role confusion, but are instead indirectly related through increased interparental conflict observed by youth. Although not identified as significant mediators, guilt induction and positive parenting practices emerged as predictors of emotional role confusion. Lastly, family cohesion did not appear to influence the development of role confusion. Conclusion Findings suggest that parenting behaviors and coparenting relationship quality play important roles in the development of parent-child emotional role confusion, with interparental conflict emerging as the strongest predictor in families with a history of parental depression.

Engaging Parents in Zimbabwe to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse: A Pilot Evaluation

Data from the Violence Against Children Surveys reveal alarming rates of child sexual abuse (CSA) in sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the critical need for public health programming to prevent and respond to this issue. This paper describes the results of the Families Matter! Program (FMP) pilot evaluation study conducted in two urban suburbs of Harare, Zimbabwe to measure the effect of a new FMP session about preventing and responding to CSA. FMP is an evidence-based intervention for parents of adolescents designed to promote positive parenting practices and effective parent–child communication about sexual risk reduction and HIV prevention. We applied a pre/post-prospective study design to assess changes in CSA-related indicators such as parental monitoring, parent–child communication about CSA, and ability to respond to instances of CSA. Parents and their children (ages 9–12) enrolled in the study as dyads and participated in two assessments administered via ACASI prior to and three months following the intervention, with 248 dyads completing both assessments. Parents and children reported significantly higher levels of parental monitoring (p < 1.001) and communication about CSA after the intervention (p < 0.001). Significantly more parents also reported conversations with people in their community about CSA (p < 0.001) and knowledge of where to access services if their child was abused (p < 0.001). The pilot evaluation suggests that FMP equipped parents with skills and knowledge to prevent and respond to CSA, and increased communication regarding CSA within communities, further normalizing the need to address and talk about child abuse, CSA in particular.

The determinants of the relationship between parents with physical disabilities and perinatal services: a scoping review

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Because of recent medical advances and increasing advocacy for the rights of people with disabilities, more and more people with disabilities are becoming parents. Parenthood is considered a fundamental right by the United Nations, and appropriate perinatal services are an important promoting factor for positive parenting experience and practices. Despite this, access to parenthood and access to services is still hindered for parents and future parents with disabilities.&#x0D; This scoping review, based on eighteen (n=18) studies, provides a unique insight into the relationship between parents with physical disabilities and perinatal services.Results suggest that four main determinants influence this relationship: mothers’ needs, professionals’ characteristics, quality of relationship with professionals, and organization of services. Issues related to accessing information and the services themselves were also identified.&#x0D; Finally, a framework for accessibility is presented to better understand how to improve access to appropriate services for parents with physical disabilities.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Pregnancy Intentions of First‐Time Mothers and Their Children's Outcomes: Unraveling Reciprocal Pathways

AbstractObjectiveThis current study tested a cross‐lagged model to examine reciprocal associations among maternal depressive symptoms, parenting stress, positive parenting practices, and coparenting satisfaction, and whether they served as pathways through which pregnancy intention was associated with children's outcomes.BackgroundUnintended pregnancy is prevalent in the United States and has been linked to negative outcomes for children. However, few studies have identified mechanisms through which pregnancy intention is associated with children's outcomes.MethodThe sample included 224 first‐time mothers from the Predicting and Preventing Neglect in Teen Mothers Study. Mothers completed a series of questionnaires across several time points between the third trimester of pregnancy and 36‐months postpartum. A cross‐lagged autoregressive model was used to determine pathways through which unintended pregnancy was associated with child outcomes, and bootstrapping analyses were used to test significance of indirect effects.ResultsResults revealed multiple pathways through which unintended pregnancy was associated with children's externalizing, internalizing, dysregulation, and social–emotional competence at 36 months. Maternal parenting stress and positive parenting practices emerged as the most salient mechanisms in the association, and depressive symptoms continued to directly predict later child outcomes.ConclusionUnintended pregnancy tends to be associated with use of fewer positive parenting practices and more parenting stress, which over time is associated with negative child outcomes.ImplicationsMothers experiencing unintended pregnancies may benefit from early intervention to address parenting and depressive symptoms in order to promote healthy outcomes among their children over time.

MHealth-Supported Delivery of an Evidence-Based Family Home-Visiting Intervention in Sierra Leone: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundPast trauma and exposure to violence have been related to poor emotion regulation and household violence, which can have persistent mental health effects across generations. The Family Strengthening Intervention for Early Childhood Development (FSI-ECD/called Sugira Muryango in Rwanda) is an evidence-based behavioral home-visiting intervention to promote caregiver mental health, positive parenting practices, and early childhood development among families facing adversity. In Sierra Leone and other lower- and middle-income countries, mobile health (mHealth) technology has the potential to improve health care delivery and health outcomes.ObjectiveThis study aims to (1) apply a user-centered design to develop and test mHealth tools to improve supervision and fidelity monitoring of community health workers (CHWs) delivering the FSI-ECD and (2) conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial of the FSI-ECD to assess feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects on caregiver mental health, emotion regulation, caregiving behaviors, and family violence in high-risk families with children aged 6-36 months in comparison with control families receiving standard care.MethodsWe will recruit and enroll CHWs, supervisors, and families with a child aged 6-36 months from community health clinics in Sierra Leone. CHWs and supervisors will participate in 1 problem analysis focus group and 2 user interface/user experience cycles to provide feedback on mHealth tool prototypes. Families will be randomized to mHealth-supported FSI-ECD or standard maternal and child health services. We will collect quantitative data on caregiver mental health, emotion regulation, caregiving behaviors, and family functioning at baseline, postintervention, and 3-month follow up. We will use a mixed methods approach to explore feasibility and acceptability of mHealth tools and the FSI-ECD. Mixed effects linear modeling will assess FSI-ECD effects on caregiver outcomes. Cost-effectiveness analysis will estimate costs across FSI-ECD versus standard care.ResultsFunding for this study was received from the National Institutes of Mental Health on August 17, 2020. Institutional Review Board approval was received on September 4, 2020. Data collection is projected to begin on December 15, 2020.ConclusionsThis study will provide important data on the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of mHealth-supported delivery of an evidence-based family home-visiting intervention in a postconflict LMIC.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04481399; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04481399.International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)PRR1-10.2196/25443

Parenting Practices and Child Conduct Problems in a Norwegian Subclinical Sample: Variable and Person‐Centered Approaches

ObjectiveThe aims of this study were (a) to examine how different parenting practices connect to each other and to child conduct problems (variable‐centered approach) and (b) to identify groups of parents who share the same parenting style and identify how these relate to child conduct problems (person‐centered approach).BackgroundSubstantial evidence indicates that positive parenting practices are associated with lower levels of child conduct problems, whereas negative practices are associated with higher levels of child problem behavior. Research is limited when it comes to examining parenting practices at intake to parent management training in clinical Scandinavian samples.MethodParticipants were 551 Norwegian parents and their children (aged 3–12 years) with moderate to high levels of conduct problems. Parents reported on child conduct problems and parenting practices. Associations between different parenting practices and child conduct problems were examined using network and latent profile analyses.ResultsThree latent profiles of parenting were identified, each related to different levels of child conduct problems. The network of practices showed that parental mental distress and harsh discipline were directly associated with higher levels of child conduct problems. The majority of parents were characterized as permissive and displayed a mix of positive and harsh parenting.ConclusionHarsh parenting was related to higher levels of child conduct problems. Discipline skills appeared as especially important in the network analyses.ImplicationsParent training should address harsh discipline practices and parental mental distress, given that these are associated with more child conduct problems. Discipline skills appeared as the most important targets for changing overall parenting practices.

Examining the influence of Father’s and mother’s characteristics in positive and negative parenting practices

The present study aims to examine the influence of father’s and mother’s demographic characteristics in positive and negative parenting practices. Research sample consisted of 480 married parents who had children in the public primary school 6 – 12 years old. 68% of parents resided in urban areas, 75% were mothers, 72% had one or two children, 65% of parents were higher educated and 70% of parents had medium and high family income. Parents completed Alabama Parenting Questionnaire which refers to positive and negative parenting practices that parents adopt to raise their children. Research findings showed that parents’ gender, age, family income, residence, educational level and the number of children in the family and children’ gender are factors that affected parents’ effectiveness. Results indicated that mothers were more involved in their children lives and applied more positive parenting practices than fathers. Also, parent’s educational level, family income and parents’ residence were a significand’s factors in parenting practices. Findings reveal that higher educated parents, parents with higher family income, parents who lived in urban areas, parents who raised a girl and parents who have one or two children were more involved in their parental role, applied more positive parenting disciplines, they provided more mentoring / supervision to their children, used less corporal punishment and applied more other parenting techniques &amp; disciplines (except corporal punishment) to their children. Furthermore, younger mothers seem to used more inconsistent and negative discipline and corporal punishment to their children than older mother. Results from this study can be used to design and implement parenting training programs to support and enchase parental role.

Maternal reflexive functions and parent training in children with oppositional defiant disorder.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is one of the most common neuropsychiatric disorders in preschool children. Parental self-regulation is critical for maintaining positive parenting practices. However, to the best of our knowledge, existing parental trainings for ODD do not focus on the enhancement of parental reflective functions. In the present study, we compare two models of behavioral Parent Training (PT) for duration of six months: one, already consolidated, is based on the principles of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), the other, innovative, integrates with the model of the regulatory and reflective parental function of Fonagy. Outcomes revealed that the innovative training was more effective as compared to the ABA training shopping that an improvement into the ability of parents to imagine the subjective experience of their developing children increases the development of children's self-regulation.

Healthier Together: Co-design of a culturally tailored childhood obesity community prevention program for Māori & Pacific Islander children and families.

Children of Māori & Pacific Islander descent living in Australia have a greater prevalence of overweight/obesity and an increased risk of adverse health outcomes. This study aimed to co-design Healthier Together, a community-based, childhood overweight/obesity prevention program tailored to Māori & Pacific Islander cultures. Co-design involved a three-phase, iterative, participatory and experience-based process, guided by the Te Ara Tika: Guidelines for Māori Research Ethics to promote respect and equity. Following traditional oratory customs of Māori & Pacific Islander cultures, "talanoa" facilitated the collaborative program design with recruited Māori & Pacific Islander consumers, cultural advisors and health professionals. Co-design formulated program objectives, session plans, resources and evaluation tools. Co-design developed a 9-week community-based childhood overweight/obesity prevention program providing culturally tailored education across four themes: (a) nutrition (b) physical activity (c) positive parenting practices (d) culture and health. Strong community engagement developed a program highly tailored to the local Māori & Pacific Islander population. Co-design methodology promotes equity and inclusion of all stakeholders, acknowledges and caters to diversity and creates a medium for openness, respect and shared purpose. Community-led participatory approaches are pivotal to engaging and empowering communities to successfully improve health behaviours, particularly in tackling childhood overweight/obesity. SO WHAT?: Healthier Together is culturally significant to ensure relevance, effectiveness and sustainability. It is relevant and potentially adaptable to other priority populations across Australia and globally. Ultimately, the delivery of culturally tailored health care will contribute to a reduction in the health inequity experienced amongst priority populations.

Differential impacts of the Brazilian Strengthening Families Program (SFP 10-14): A study into changes in the parenting styles of vulnerable families

Adolescents living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are not only exposed to underprivileged conditions - they are also at greater risk of being raised with negative parenting practices that may have detrimental effects on their psychosocial development and health. Thus, the implementation and evaluation of family-based interventions that foster positive parenting practices among vulnerable populations are necessary. The aim of this study is to examine if the Brazilian Strengthening Families Program (SFP) has a differential impact on parenting styles in the short, medium, and long terms. This was achieved through a single-group longitudinal design with four data collection moments. Parenting styles were assessed using the Parental Practices Scale at baseline and then after delivering the program, with follow-ups after 6/8 and 10/12 months. The sample comprised 361 adolescents aged 10–14 years from low-income families in northeastern Brazil. A combination of hierarchical and non-hierarchical cluster-analysis methods offered a four-cluster solution representing the four parenting styles: authoritative, authoritarian, indulgent, and negligent. Mixed ANOVAs revealed a main effect of time on both responsiveness and demandingness, indicating that overall levels were higher post-test than pre-test. There were improvements in the responsiveness levels among authoritarian parents, as well as improvements in the demandingness levels among indulgent parents. The Brazilian SFP (10–14) appears promising for improving parenting styles, which it does by strengthening the weakest parental aspect to enhance positive parenting in families living in underprivileged conditions.

Associations between depression and parenting of fathers in Head Start and parental self-efficacy as a protective factor

• Prevalence of depression among fathers in Early Head Start/Head Start programs. • Fathers’ depression weakens relationship closeness with their children. • Depression increases relationship conflicts with their children. • Parental self-efficacy mitigates the influence of depression. • Improving fathers’ parental self-efficacy is important in early childhood services. Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS) programs deliver comprehensive early childhood services in the U.S. to support low-income families to improve a range of early childhood outcomes and to develop positive parenting and parent-child relationships. From the beginning of the program, increasing fathers’ involvement with their children in HS/EHS has been an important emphasis. However, depressive symptoms among low-income fathers can negatively impact their relationships with their children. Protective factors such as parental self-efficacy (PSE) can potentially buffer the effects of depression. In this study, we aimed to understand the associations between low-income HS/EHS fathers’ depressive symptoms and relationship closeness and conflict with their young children aged 5 and below. We also examined if the PSE of fathers can buffer the negative associations between depression and father-child relationship. We analyzed cross-sectional data collected from fathers ( n = 102) who participated in a parenting support program while receiving HS/EHS services in the United States. Participants were primarily African American (83%), of mean age 32 years, and lived with their children (74%). Using multiple linear regression, we found that fathers’ depression was significantly associated with father-child closeness ( B = −0.37, p < .001) and conflict ( B = 0.28, p < . 05). More importantly, PSE functioned as a protective factor by reducing the negative associations between depression and fathers’ relationship closeness and conflict with their children. Implications include providing mental health assessments and support to low-income fathers. HS/EHS services or early childhood services that aim to promote positive parenting practices and develop healthy parent-child relationships among low-income fathers should give attention to strengthening PSE in fathers.

Adverse Childhood Experiences and School Readiness Among Preschool-Aged Children

To examine the association between preschool-aged children's exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and multiple, intersecting domains of school readiness using a nationally representative sample. A sample of 15 402 preschool-aged children (3-5years) in the US from the 3 most recent cohorts (2016-2018) of the National Survey of Children's Health were employed. Primary caregivers were asked survey questions about the adversities experienced by focal children. Four distinct domains of school readiness among the children were also derived from the survey: early learning skills, self-regulation, social-emotional development, and physical health and motor development. Although nearly one-half of children who had not been exposed to ACEs were on-track across all domains, only 1 in 5 children exposed to 3 or more ACEs were on-track across all domains. Follow-up analyses identified parenting stress and reduced positive parenting practices as significant mediators of this association. Multivariate results also indicated that, regardless of the school readiness domain examined, an accumulation of ACEs increased the rate of items on which a child needs support or is at-risk. An accumulation of ACEs among preschool-aged children elevates risk within and across school readiness domains. These findings highlight the urgent need to identify best practices to reduce ACE exposure, as well as improve school readiness during early childhood.