Parent and Child Attributions for Child Behavior: Distinguishing Factors for Engagement and Outcome

Abstract

A ttribution theory posits that the ways in which people explain events helps them to manage, control, and master these events (Gotlib & Abramson, 1999;White & Barrowclough, 1998). Furthermore, attributions generally fall into patterns organized around certain dimensions. The first dimension involves the extent to which individuals attribute causes of events to internal (within the individual) or external (outside the individual) factors. The second dimension involves the extent to which individuals attribute causes of events to all-encompassing, global characteristics (e.g., the world is unsafe) or specific events or behaviors (e.g., a hurricane happened). The third dimension involves, depending on the theorist, the degree to which the person perceives he or she can control the event (Weiner, 1985) or the person's perception of whether the event will change or not (i.e., the extent to which it is stable; Gotlib & Abramson, 1999).Attribution theory has been applied to parenting behavior. The attributions parents give for their children's behavior affects how parents behave toward their children (White & Barrowclough, 1998). A literature review by Freeman, Johnston, and Barth (1997) indicated that mothers of children without problems employ a positive attributional bias for their children. They view prosocial behavior by their children as due to internal characteristics of the child that are stable in nature. At the same time, they see deviant behavior as situational and temporary. Such parents typically believe they have control over parent-child interactions because of their competence and skills.Mothers of children with behavior problems and parents who maltreat their children display an opposite pattern. They explain their children's deviant behaviors as due to dispositional and stable causes within their children. They also believe their children should have control over these behaviors). As a result, these mothers downplay their parenting practices as determining their children's behavior. Because they do not have control, apathy, depression, and hopelessness may follow (Gotlib & Abramson, 1999). Indeed, parents of children with CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN

Predicting Treatment Success in Child and Parent Therapy Among Families in Poverty

“…Parental attributions, in particular, are thought to play an important role in treatment participation (Corcoran & Ivery, 2004;Peters, Calam, & Harrington, 2005) and the overall quality of the parent-child relationship (Leung & Slep, 2006;Snyder, Cramer, Afrank, & Patterson, 2005;Sturge-Apple, Suor, & Skibo, 2014;Wilson, Gardner, Burton, & Leung, 2006). Attribution Theory, the Parent-Child Relationship, and Parent and Child Therapy Attribution theory was originally developed by Fritz Heider in the 1950s (Heider, 1958) and sought to explain how people form explanations for the causes of social behavior.…”

“…Child-referent attributions and parent-referent attributions can be either beneficial or detrimental to the parent-child relationship. Most parents attribute their child's prosocial behaviors to stable, dispositional traits within the child and view negative behaviors as temporary and situational (Corcoran & Ivery, 2004). When a parent experiences a positive childreferent attribution (e.g., they perceive their child's compliance as a result of the child's good temperament and intelligence), it reinforces their own positive parent-referent attributions (e.g., they perceive themselves as a skilled and competent parent because they are able to facilitate the development of compliance in their child).…”

“…Thus, the parent typically responds to their child in a manner that is positive and rewarding, in essence reinforcing both parties' attributions and behaviors. However, research has revealed that a negative attributional shift occurs in parents of children with behavior problems where they tend to attribute the cause of their child's negative to dispositional traits within the child (Corcoran & Ivery, 2004;SturgeApple et al, 2014).…”

“…Parental attributions have also been posited to play an important role in treatment attendance and early treatment success (Corcoran & Ivery, 2004;Peters et al, 2005). This relationship may be particularly salient for CPT programs as the focus is on modifying the parenting practices of caregivers to change the behavior of their children, in essence, assigning some responsibility and causality to the parent.…”

Effectiveness of Solution-focused Coaching of Staff of People With Intellectual Disabilities: A Controlled Study

“…As Wheeler (2001) reported, SFC can be particularly helpful for staff in encouraging a sense of self-efficacy and proactive thinking, altering negative perceptions, and enhancing positive attachment. Several studies found that solution-focused techniques, and the model in general, fostered optimism among clients with respect to accomplishing goals (Corcoran, & Ivery, 2004;Dine, 1995;Jordan & Quinn, 1994Shilts, Rambo, & Hernandez, 1997). Both clients and staff appreciated the positive atmosphere of SFC; they considered it a validating, proactive, and empowering experience and valued its focus on their strengths and success (Green, 2012;Roeden, Maaskant, Bannink, & Curfs, 2011).…”