DDAA and Maternal Reflective Functions

Abstract

In this study, we propose to examine two types of Parent Training (PT) under DDAA —behavioral and reflective types of PT. The central idea of our work is that the development of parenting educational skills cannot ignore the development of reflective and regulatory functions, which promote pre-mentalization, social cognition, and empathic skills. Because of the lack of studies on the efficacy of behavioral PT addressed to the parents of subjects with DDAA, this work took place. This study included 90 families whose children were diagnosed with the disorder of dysregulated anger and aggression (DDAA) according to criteria of CD 0–5 (2016). The sample included pre-school children aged between 2 and 3 years old (age range 2–3 years), who were equally divided into two groups based on the type of PT administered to the parents or caregivers. Our results indicate that the PT intervention, which is focused on the improvement of parental reflexive functions, helps in obtaining greater results even in the reduction of the externalizing behavioral symptoms. Additionally, results show that the intervention of PT with a behavioral matrix does not improve parental reflexive functions even if it guarantees a slight reduction of children’s behavioral problems.

Parent training based on parental reflective function on the well-being of the family in ASD

“…Parental Training (PT) is a psychological intervention aimed at improving parenting skills, including both communication and behavioural management strategies. Different theoretical approaches to PT may prioritize specific aspects, reinforcing various skills and abilities (Frolli et al, 2023). The study findings suggest that two types of parent training are effective in improving parental wellness by reducing stress and decreasing externalizing problem behaviour in children.…”

“…This improvement occurred even though children in all three groups were concurrently receiving Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) methodology-based behavioral therapy in various settings, including home and school. These data suggest that the Parent Training (PT) intervention yields significant results, particularly in reducing externalizing behavioral symptoms (see Gershy & Gray, 2020;Frolli et al, 2023).…”

“…Furthermore, the effectiveness of parent training is also influenced by factors that are not dependent on the child's functioning, particularly socio-economic status p-ISSN: 2184-2205e-ISSN: 2184-3414 ISBN: 978-989-35106-6-7 © 2024 and maternal mental health (Reyno & McGrath, 2006). Some studies, such as Frolli et al (2023), emphasise the importance of supporting not only the behavioural competencies but also the reflective function of parents. Parental reflective functioning (PRF), also known as parental mentalizing, refers to a parent's ability to understand their child's internal mental states, such as feelings, wishes, and desires, and to reflect on their own internal mental experiences and how they are shaped and changed by interactions with their child.…”