Parental Attributions Of Child Behavior As Predictors Of Help-Seeking Behavior In A Community Sample
Date of Award
2013
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Psychology
Abstract
Child and parenting focused interventions are commonly recommended by clinicians; however it is often the case that children and parents do not follow through on treatment. Research examining help seeking behavior related to child concerns has focused on child, parent and family demographics. Other research has considered the influence of parent cognitions, including parenting self-efficacy and parental attributions of child behavior, in predicting attendance for parenting interventions (e.g., Peters, Calam & Harrington, 2005). There is currently limited research that considers parental help seeking in a community sample (Girio-Herrera, Owens, & Langberg, 2013). The purpose of the present study is to examine the influence of parental attributions of child behavior on help seeking behavior in a community sample. Specifically, this study considers if parental attributions predict the type of services parents preferred. The Parental Attribution Test, the Parenting Sense of Competency scale, and a measure of help seeking behavior were administered to 122 parents of children ages 3-12. Parental attributions of child behavior did not significantly predict interest in formal or informal interventions, after accounting for known obstacles to help seeking such as parentEducation and family income. Contrary to hypotheses, parents with low perceived control over child behavior were less likely to report interest in child focused interventions as compared to parent and family interventions. Results revealed a trend for parents high in child responsible attributions to prefer informal services. The strongest predictor of help seeking behavior was parent report of obstacles. Obstacles that were most often reported included negative experience with previous services and cost. Results provide additional information regarding help seeking behavior among parents in a community sample and suggest directions for future research on help seeking.
Recommended Citation
Hutchens, Jennifer L., "Parental Attributions Of Child Behavior As Predictors Of Help-Seeking Behavior In A Community Sample" (2013). All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1423.
https://scholars.indianastate.edu/etds/1423