Parenting and the parent–child relationship in families of children with mild to borderline intellectual disabilities and externalizing behavior

Abstract

This cross-sectional study examined the association between parenting behavior, the parent-child relationship, and externalizing child behavior in families of children with mild to borderline intellectual disabilities (MBID). The families of a child with MBID and accompanying externalizing behavior problems (n=113) reported more positive discipline and physical punishment but less involvement, less positive parenting, less monitoring, a lower sense of parenting competence, less acceptance of the child, and less closeness to the child than the families of a child with MBID and no accompanying externalizing behavior problems (n=71). The parent-child relationship was most strongly associated with externalizing child behavior, over and above parenting behaviors. In addition, the parent-child relationship was found to be associated with parenting behavior, over and above the child's externalizing behavior. Our results highlight the importance of both the parent-child relationship and parenting behavior in connection with the occurrence of externalizing behavior problems on the part of children with MBID. Parenting behavior and the parent-child relationship may thus be promising targets for interventions with this group of children.

The Influence of Children's Cognitive Delay and Behavior Problems on Maternal Depression

“…As discussed by McConnell, 34 children’s behavior problems are likely a source of stress that disrupt family routines, challenge efforts to find suitable child care, and contribute to financial hardship, difficulties maintaining positive relationships and parental social isolation. Research demonstrates that among families of children with intellectual disabilities, parents whose children have accompanying behavior problems report a lower sense of parenting competence and less acceptance of and closeness with their children than parents of children without behavior problems, 35 which could negatively affect their mental health. It is also plausible that depressed mothers are more likely to recall their children’s behavior negatively than non-depressed mothers, which may have biased our findings.…”

Adolescents with Disabilities

“…Parents of adolescents with Mild to Borderline Intellectual Disabilities more often perceive their parenting behavior as flawed, suggesting that a sense of competence, among these parents, may be lower than for other parents. The added presence of negative externalizing behaviors, common in adolescents diagnosed with Mild to Borderline Intellectual Disabilities, further contributed to a reduced sense of parental competence, less acceptance of the child, and diminished closeness with the child (Schuiringa et al 2015). The view of their parenting as flawed is further perpetuated as parent-child relations are realigned, including possible adjustments in role responsibilities and decision-making, during the complex process of transitioning from childhood to adolescence and then from adolescence to young adulthood (Betz et al 2015).…”

The Prediction of Family Resilience, Subjective Well-being and Marital Adjustment of Parents Who Has a Child with a Disability by Psychosocial Competencies

“…Araştırmalar, orta düzey ve sınır zekâ düzeyindeki çocukların ebeveynlerinin sergiledikleri davranışların çocukların yaşamlarında önemli role sahip olduğunu göstermiştir. Bu davranışlar arasında fiziki ceza, düşük düzeyde teşvik, olumlu tutumların azalması, çocuğu nadiren izleme, ebeveynlik duyarlılığının azalması ve bakımı çok zor algılamanın payı olduğu ifade edilmektedir (Schuiringa, van Nieuwenhuijzen, Orobio de Castro ve Matthys, 2015). Engelli çocuğa sahip çalışan annelerde ve statü gerektiren işlerde çalışan babalarda yaşanan güçlükleri daha olumsuz algılama eğiliminin arttığı bulunmuştur.…”