Conservative Christian parents’ perceptions of child−parent relationship therapy.

Abstract

The purpose of our study was to understand, document, and report conservative Christian parents' perceptions of the effectiveness of an intensive 5-week filial therapy program, ChildϪParent Relationship Therapy (CPRT). A transcendental phenomenological approach (C. Moustakas, 1994, Phenomenological Research Methods, Thousand Oaks, CA. Sage) was used to gather, analyze, and report the findings from this study. A 14-question, semistructured interview was used with 10 parent participants to ascertain the parents' perceptions of the CPRT model. Overall, the parents thought the CPRT model was effective and had a positive change on the parent-child relationship and behavior problems the child was experiencing. Several techniques and interventions were described by the parents as the most helpful and beneficial. The results of our study suggest that CPRT may be effective for conservative Christian parents when certain modifications are made. The themes that emerged may be used to provide alternative methods to assist clients who hold conservative Christian beliefs.

The Use of Child Parent Relationship Therapy and Common Parent Concerns

“…A majority of the parents in the study by Bornsheuer-Boswell et al (2013) reported compatibility between their beliefs and value system and the counseling modality were of utmost importance to them. The Conservative Christian parents reported commonly using Scripture as their guide in making decisions regarding their parenting skills and their interactions within the family.…”

“…With a majority of persons and families in the United States noting that religion and spirituality play a key role in their day-to-day lives and family dynamics (Walsh, 2009), it is important that counselors recognize the importance of providing time and discussions around the ways in which the treatment model is a fit for parents' belief and value systems around religion and parenting. For example, in their study, Bornsheuer-Boswell et al (2013) found although some parents were hesitant about the effectiveness of limit setting, all of the parents were willing to attempt the skill. The CPRT facilitator provided ongoing and in-depth conversations about the purpose of the skill, how it was used, how it was a fit for the parent's religious and parenting belief systems, and the benefits to the parent-child relationship and the resulting decrease in parental stress and problem behaviors.…”

“…The use of encouragement when parents talk about their willingness to practice the skills at home or when a parent brings in a tape of them using the skill can help parents feel reassured that the skill is working. In the study by Bornsheuer-Boswell et al (2013), one mother, Sharon, mentioned that the specific skills and techniques she was being trained to use were ''something that's completely brand new to us'' (p. 85) but also stated that these skills and interactions provided ''structure'' (p. 97) to the family interactions with the children and facilitated expression of the values and skills she and her spouse wanted to model for their children. Similarly, another mother, Michelle, mentioned that using the CPRT methods were new and different but had positive outcomes.…”

“…Overall, the most helpful skills and techniques the parents found helpful were (a) using statements rather than questions to identify feelings and children's needs, (b) being a thermostat rather than a thermometer (e.g., teaching parents to stay calm when the child escalates in intensity of behavior), (c) using encouragement rather than praise, and (d) using the limit-setting model and choices. One parent, interviewed during the study by Bornsheuer-Boswell et al (2013), spoke about the helpfulness of the skills learned from the group, she mentioned:…”

“…The 10 parent participants involved in the study by Bornsheuer-Boswell et al (2013) were split on the amount of group time they perceived as the most beneficial. In their findings, half of the parents reported a desire for a 10-week group that met once a week, whereas the other half stated they preferred meeting twice a week for 5 weeks.…”