Parental Social Cognitions: Considerations in the Acceptability of and Engagement in Behavioral Parent Training

Abstract

Behavioral parent training (BPT) is a widely used, evidence-based treatment for externalizing child behaviors. However, the ability of BPT programs to be maximally effective remains limited by relatively low rates of acceptance, attendance, and adherence to treatment. Previous reviews have focused on a variety of demographic and mental health characteristics of parents and children that are predictive of poor outcomes in BPT. This paper focuses instead on consideration of parental social cognitions, and how incorporation of these cognitions may, or may not, be useful in advancing the effectiveness of BPT. We first review evidence suggesting limited incremental effects to incorporating parental cognitions within the context of BPT programs. Then, we examine the role of two particular types of parental social cognitions, attributions and parenting efficacy, in relation to the initial stages of accepting and engaging in BPT. We conclude by noting limitations in available research on the links between parental social cognitions and BPT, and we outline a number of potentially useful directions that may clarify whether or not parental social cognitions should be accorded greater attention either in the initial stages or throughout BPT programs.

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

“…However, questions remain about the link between attributional style and engagement in treatment as other studies have found no relationship between parent-referent attribution styles and treatment participation (Nordstrom, Dumas, & Gitter, 2008;Williford, Graves, Shelton, & Woods, 2009). Mah and Johnston's (2008) review suggested that addressing parent cognitions within the context of CPT programs may help to increase treatment effectiveness and that the mixed findings in the research may be attributed to timing in which these attribution interventions are implemented (pre, during, post treatment) and specific types of attributions (attributions for misbehavior, acceptability of CPT programs, efficacy in parenting) that are assessed. Parental attributions related to reasons for child misbehavior were targeted in this study to determine if a significant effect was found and to assess the magnitude of the effect.…”

“…Questions surrounding when these attributions should be addressed during treatment (pre, during, or post) and what attributions should be targeted (responsibility for child misbehavior, acceptability of CPT programs) also remain (Mah & Johnston, 2008), and should be considered in future research. accessed by following the link in the citation at the bottom of the page.…”

Do maternal attributions play a role in the acceptability of behavioural interventions for problem behaviour in children with autism spectrum disorders?

“…Several researchers have argued that some parent characteristics, such as parental cognitions, may be more readily subject to modification than other factors, highlighting the benefits of addressing the relations of these parental cognitions to treatment acceptability (Hoza et al, 2006;Kazdin, 2000;Mah & Johnston, 2008).…”

“…Parental attributions have been suggested as one of these parental cognitions (Hoza, Johnston, Pillow, & Ascough, 2006;Mah & Johnston, 2008;Morrissey-Kane & Prinz, 1999). In this domain, parental attributions refer to the causal explanations parents make about their child's behaviour (Whittingham, Sofronoff, Sheffield, & Sanders, 2008.…”

“…Nevertheless, it should be noted that individuals' perceptions of causes along the attributional dimensions may vary greatly between people (Weiner, 1985). An increasing number of researchers have begun to consider the specific role parental attributions may play in parental acceptability of an intervention proposed for their child (e.g., Hassall & Rose, 2005;Hoza et al, 2006;Mah & Johnston, 2008;Thornton & Calam, 2011;Williford, Graves, Shelton, & Woods, 2009). In particular, some researchers highlight a hypothesised relationship between parental attributions and treatment acceptability of parent-focused behavioural interventions for children's problem behaviour, in which parents who perceive the causes of the behaviour as being unrelated to any parental influences (e.g., child's disposition) are less likely to judge those interventions as acceptable (Hoza et al, 2006;Mah & Johnston, 2008).…”