An examination of the relationships between family environment, psychological maltreatment, subjective well-being and psychological distress. Certain family environments may be more at risk for engaging in psychological maltreatment than others.

The purpose of this non-positivistic mixed-methods study is to examine parental attitudes towards the use of computer and video games in their child’s classroom and to investigate how the sociocultural contexts in which parents live affect those attitudes. The research was conducted using a mixed-methods triangulation design, including both quantitative and qualitative techniques. First, the study tried to identify which groups of parents were better positioned to accept and support digital game-based learning and which groups were less likely to have a positive attitude toward integrating digital games into the classroom. This study tried to determine if socioeconomic status, age, education level, and/or cultural background could serve as a predictor of parental attitudes toward digital game-based learning. Second, the study tried to recognize how social and cultural contexts in which parents live affect their attitudes toward digital games in the classroom. Many researchers agree that parents play an important role in students’ and eventually, educators’ attitudes toward gaming. It has been argued that if parents accept a certain non-traditional (digital) learning tool, then their children would most likely have a similar attitude toward it. Parents might be the support system that educators need in order to ensure that students are able to see the educational value of video games and are willing to think critically and draw connections between what they learn in a gaming environment and core subject areas.

This study examined the relationship between the resistance to temptation of three-, four-, and five-year-old children and parental attitudes toward child-rearing. Other variables explored included gender of the children, employment status of mothers, and socio-economic status of families. Fifty-two three-, four-, and five-year-old children from two centers were tested to determine their levels of resistance to temptation as measured by Grinder's Bean Bag Instrument. Parental attitudes toward child-rearing were measured by Schaefer and Bell's Parental Attitude Research Instrument (PARI). To determine the difference between the resistance to temptation scores and socio-economic status, gender, and employment status of mothers, Jt tests were employed. No significant differences were found with regard to these variables. Factor analysis of the PARI resulted in three primary factors: Hostility-Rejection, Authoritarian- Control, and Democratic-Attitude. To determine the difference between the Hostility-Rejection scores, Authoritarian-Control scores, and Democratic-Attitude scores of the mothers and socio-economic status, _t tests were employed. There were no significant differences between mothers of a lower socio-economic level and their Hostility- Rejection and Democratic-Attitude scores. However, mothers of a lower/upper socio-economic level showed significantly higher levels of Authoritarian-Control than mothers of an upper socio-economic level. To determine the difference between the Hostility-Rejection scores, Authoritarian- Control scores, and Democratic-Attitude scores of the mothers and employment status of the mothers, t_ tests were employed. No significant differences were found regarding these variables. To determine the relationship between the Hostility-Rejection scores, Authoritarian-Control scores, and Democratic-Attitude scores of the mothers and resistance to temptation scores of the children, a Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was employed. Results indicated that there was no significant relationship between the Hostility-Rejection scores and the Authoritarian-Control scores of the mothers and the resistance to temptation score of the children. A significant relationship was found between the Democratic-Attitude scores of the mothers and the resistance to temptation score of the children.

Early childhood is a period of rapid and significant development. At the same time, parents and other caregivers play a consequential role in how development during this period unfolds. Moreover, not only parents but also teachers and early childhood caregivers share the responsibility to make a positive contribution and difference in children’s development. It is therefore important to understand adult conceptions of children in early childhood. The present study examines this question in term of parenting approaches to child rearing and parenting attitudes in the Swedish context. The current systematic literature review examines published empirical studies to survey concepts of children and childhood in Swedish families. It is guided by the following research questions: In the existing research literature, what parental attitudes and behaviors are attributed to Swedish families? What conceptions of children and childhood can be discerned from this literature? Five articles were identified and reviewed in order to address these research questions. The results showed that parenting approaches are shaped by a child-centered view, both in families and early childhood provision and organizations, also focused on the natural development of children. Furthermore, there is an emphasis on children’s abilities to create their own path in life and respect for children’s rights and freedom. In terms of different forms of punishment including the physical punishment, discipline is not a core orientation for Swedish parents, and it is seen as an unfavorable action.

L’objectif principal de cette thèse est de documenter l’association entre les expériences de maltraitance vécues à l’enfance par les parents et leurs comportements parentaux subséquents et d’explorer les mécanismes et les variables sous-jacents à cette association. D’abord, une méta-analyse des études qui ont examiné l’association entre la maltraitance vécue à l’enfance par les mères et leurs comportements parentaux subséquents à l’endroit de leurs enfants de 0 à 6 ans a été conduite. La possibilité que certaines variations méthodologiques et conceptuelles puissent agir comme modérateurs de cette association a aussi été testée. Au total, 32 études ont été retenues et les analyses ont révélé une association faible et significative entre le vécu de maltraitance à l’enfance et les comportements parentaux subséquents (r = –.13, p < .05). Les analyses de modération ont également révélé que l’association entre ces deux variables est de plus grande magnitude lorsque les comportements parentaux mesurés étaient des comportements négatifs, potentiellement abusifs, ou encore faisaient état de la qualité de la relation parent-enfant. L’association était également plus élevée dans les échantillons contenant une plus grande proportion de mères de garçons et lorsque les études étaient moins récentes. Deuxièmement, une étude empirique a été conduite afin de répliquer les résultats impliquant une association entre l’exposition des mères à de la maltraitance à l’enfance et leur sensibilité maternelle ainsi que pour tester les mécanismes sous-jacents potentiels. Alors que des études ont démontré que certaines caractéristiques maternelles (i.e., adaptation psychosociale, représentation d’attachement) et environnementales (i.e., faible vs haut risque) pouvaient partiellement expliquer l’association entre l’historique de maltraitance et la sensibilité maternelle, aucune de ces études n’a testé toutes ces variables dans une même étude. C’est pourquoi cette étude visait à tester ces variables comme potentiels médiateurs et modérateurs de cette association ainsi que tester leur effet direct sur la sensibilité maternelle. Les résultats ont permis de répliquer l’association entre la maltraitance vécue à l’enfance et la sensibilité de mères envers leurs enfants de 18 mois. En plus de la maltraitance vécue à l’enfance, le risque et les représentations d’attachement étaient tous prédicteurs de la sensibilité maternelle. Toutefois, aucune médiation n’a été trouvée, suggérant que bien ce ces variables agissent simultanément sur la prédiction de la sensibilité maternelle, nous ne sommes toujours pas en mesure de documenter comment celles-ci interagissent ensemble. Les résultats ont aussi révélé que l’adaptation psychosociale agit comme un modérateur de l’association principale, celle-ci étant de plus grande magnitude pour les mères présentant moins de difficultés d’adaptation. / The purpose of this research project is to document the association between parents’ experiences of childhood maltreatment (CM) and their subsequent parenting behaviors and to further our understanding of the processes and variables influencing this association. First, a meta-analysis of studies that have examined the association between mothers’ exposure to CM and their subsequent parenting behaviors towards their 0-6 years old children was conducted. The potential impact of both conceptual and methodological moderators has also been tested. A total of 32 studies were retained for analysis and results reveal a small but statistically significant association between maternal exposure to CM and parenting behavior (r = –.13, p < .05). Moderator analyses reveal that the association between CM and parenting are of greater magnitude when parenting measures involved relationship-based or negative, potentially abusive behaviors, when samples have greater proportions of boys compared to girls, and when studies were older versus more recent. Second, an empirical study was conducted in order to replicate the findings suggesting an association between mothers’ exposure to CM and maternal sensitivity and to test its potential underlying mechanisms. While previous studies have suggested that maternal (i.e., psychosocial adjustment, attachment state of mind) and environmental (low- vs high-risk) characteristics partially explain the association between CM and parenting, none of these studies have considered all these variables together. This second study thus aimed to test the potential mediating or moderating effect of these variables on the association between CM and parenting outcomes as well as their direct effect on maternal sensitivity. Results replicated the association between CM and lower maternal sensitivity of mothers of 18-months-old children. Together with CM, risk and attachment state of mind were all predictive of maternal sensitivity. However, no mediation effect was found, suggesting that while all these variables act simultaneously, we remain uncertain as how they interact with each other. Results also revealed that psychosocial adjustment acts as a moderator of the association between CM and maternal sensitivity, the association being stronger for mothers presenting fewer adjustment difficulties.

Titre de l'écran-titre (visionné le 5 juin 2023) / L'obésité infantile est un enjeu de santé publique étant donné sa prévalence élevée et les conséquences associées sur la santé. Avec l'augmentation des interventions en famille visant à prévenir et à prendre en charge l'obésité infantile, il est important d'évaluer ces programmes de façon plus globale afin de s'assurer de ne pas créer d'effet indésirable non intentionnel sur des aspects psychologiques et comportementaux chez les enfants et leurs parents. L'objectif du projet de maîtrise présenté dans le cadre ce mémoire était d'évaluer les effets d'une intervention nutritionnelle en famille (Nutriathlon en famille) sur les comportements alimentaires et la préoccupation à l'égard du poids des enfants et des parents ainsi que sur les pratiques et les styles alimentaires parentaux. Quarante-trois familles, composées d'au moins un enfant ayant un surplus de poids ou de l'obésité ont été randomisées en deux groupes : intervention (Nutriathlon en famille) et contrôle (Guide alimentaire canadien). Les comportements alimentaires ont été mesurés à l'aide du Child Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire et du Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire. La préoccupation à l'égard du poids a été évaluée à l'aide de questions basées sur l'Enquête sociale et de santé auprès des enfants et des adolescents québécois. Les pratiques alimentaires parentales ont été mesurées avec le Child Feeding Questionnaire et les styles alimentaires parentaux avec le Caregiver's Feeding Style Questionnaire. Ces variables ont été mesurées avant et après l'intervention, puis six mois plus tard. L'intervention du Nutriathlon en famille n'a pas eu d'effet indésirable sur les comportements alimentaires chez aucun des membres de la famille ni sur la préoccupation à l'égard du poids des enfants et les pratiques alimentaires parentales. Outre l'absence d'effet indésirable, l'intervention a eu un effet positif sur la préoccupation à l'égard du poids des parents ainsi que sur les styles parentaux alimentaires par rapport au groupe contrôle.

This study outlines and evaluates a school-based group intervention programme, offering support and teaching problem-solving skills, for children of divorce. The effect of the programme on children's beliefs about divorce and their self-concept is empirically investigated. A sample of 17 latency age children was divided into an experimental group and a wait-list condition control group. The results indicate that a group intervention programme can contribute towards positive changes in children's beliefs about divorce and improvements in their self-concept. Treatment effects for children of divorce are not only associated with the fonnal group intervention programme. Children in both groups improved on several measures from first to second testing and several explanations are offered for these findings. This study suggests that group interventions can contribute to improved adjustment outcomes for children of divorce, by helping children develop more realistic beliefs about divorce and by improving their self-concept / Social Work / M.A. (Social Science) in Mental Health

Thesis (MEdPsych (Educational Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study was conducted within historically black schools in the Western Cape. According to (HSRP@historicsschools.org.za) historically Black schools are identified as schools which under the apartheid government were racially segregated schools, situated mainly in residential areas populated by people classified as black, for the exclusive use of people in this racial classification category. The purpose of this study was to explore educators', parents' and learner understands of epilepsy. This study uses an interpretive research framework to obtain in-depth data on educators', parents' and learner’s knowledge of epilepsy, reactions of educators towards learners with epilepsy, the effect of epilepsy on learning and the inclusion of learners with epilepsy in a regular class. The thematic content analysis was the method of analysis. Participants’ experiences with regard to epilepsy were reconstructed according to themes. Recurring themes were linked with the literature. This study found that educators, parents and learners had little idea what epilepsy entails and their beliefs were often moulded by inaccurate information. Educators have received little or no training to provide meaningful support for learners with epilepsy. Despite policy changes the needs of learners with epilepsy are not met in the classroom. Educators and parents insist that they need information, skills and clear guidelines regarding epilepsy. Research indicates that educators find it difficult to cope with the demands of these learners, and often experience frustration and failure. It could benefit the schools if a supporting programme is developed to provide practical and comprehensive guidelines to assist educators to support learners with epilepsy. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie navorsing is in histories swart skole in die Weskaap onderneem. HSRP@historicschools.org.za beskryf ‘histories swart skole’ as skole wat tydens die apartheid-regime op grond van ras gesegregeer was, hoofsaaklik binne residensiële areas wat bewoon is deur mense wat as swart geklassifiseer is, vir die eksklusiewe gebruik van mense van hierdie rasseklassifikasie. Die doel van hierdie navorsing is om opvoeders, ouers en leerders se begrip van epilepsie te ondersoek. ’n Interpretatiewe navorsingsraamwerk is gebruik om in-diepte gegewens rakende opvoeders, ouers en leerders se kennis van epilepsie, opvoeders se reaksie teenoor leerders met epilepsie, die uitwerking van epilepsie op leer, en die insluiting van leerders met epilepsie in gewone klasse, in te win. Die tematiese inhoudsanalise is gebruik as ondersoekmetode. Deelnemers aan die studie se ervaringe van epilepsie is volgens temas gerekonstrueer. Herhalende temas is met die literatuur oor die onderwerp verbind. Die navorsing het bevind dat opvoeders, ouers en leerders weinig benul het van wat epilepsie is, en dat hulle begrip daarvan dikwels deur onakkurate inligting gevorm is. Opvoeders ontvang weinig of geen opleiding om betekenisvolle ondersteuning aan leerders met epilepsie te gee. Ten spyte van beleidsveranderinge word daar nie aan die behoeftes van leerders met epilepsie in die klaskamer voldoen nie. Opvoeders en ouers hou vol dat hulle inligting, vaardighede en duidelike riglyne rakende epilepsie nodig het. Navorsing wys dat opvoeders dit moeilik vind om raad te weet met hierdie leerders se behoeftes, en dat hulle dikwels frustrasie ervaar en voel dat hulle misluk het in hulle pogings. Die ontwikkeling van ’n ondersteuningsprogram, wat praktiese en omvattende riglyne daarstel om opvoeders met die behoeftes van leerders met epilepsie te assisteer, kan tot die voordeel van skole wees.

Introduction En juin 2009, l’Organisation Mondiale de la Santé (OMS) a déclaré l’état de pandémie pour le nouveau virus influenza A(H1N1). Malgré les recommandations des autorités de santé publique, lors de la mise en place de la campagne de vaccination de masse au Québec contre ce virus pandémique, certains groupes de la population ont été plus enclins à être vaccinés que d’autres groupes. Ceci souligne l’importance des déterminants psychosociaux du comportement humain, sujet qui a donné cadre à notre étude. Objectifs Le but de cette étude a été de documenter les attitudes, les connaissances et les influences sociales des parents dont les enfants fréquentent des services de garde éducatifs (SGE) vis-à-vis la vaccination contre la pandémie ainsi que la couverture vaccinale. Méthodologie Un questionnaire auto-administré et anonyme basé sur la théorie des comportements interpersonnels de Triandis a été distribué aux parents d’enfants âgés de 0-59 mois de neuf centres de la petite enfance sur l’île de Montréal. Résultats Le taux de réponse de l’enquête a été de 32,0% (N=185). Le taux de vaccination des enfants s’est retrouvé à 83,4%; ceci représente une couverture plus élevée que la moyenne régionale et nationale. Toutefois, à une question sur l’intention des parents face à une autre pandémie, seuls 46% des parents feraient vacciner leur enfant. Les facteurs les plus significatifs associés à la vaccination de leur enfant ont été les croyances personnelles positives, de bonnes habitudes vaccinales et l’influence des média, tous mesurés par plusieurs indicateurs (RC respectifs de 7,7, 3,1 et 4,2, p<0,05). Conclusion Pour la grippe A(H1N1), plusieurs facteurs contextuels ont joué en faveur des taux de vaccination acceptables chez les enfants. Toutefois, la mise en place d’une campagne de la vaccination par les instances gouvernementales et de santé publique en utilisant divers média pourraient contribuer à un taux de vaccination encore plus élevé en cas d’épidémie ou de pandémie. / Background In June 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the 2009 A(H1N1) swine flu a pandemic. Despite the recommandations from public health authorities when setting up the mass immunization campaign in Quebec against the influenza A(H1N1), some population groups were more likely to be vaccinated than others. This underlines the importance of psychosocial determinants of human behaviour, which gave a framework for our study. Objectives The aim of this study was to document the attitudes, knowledge and social influences of parents whose children attend early childhood centers (ECC) regarding the vaccination against the pandemic and its coverage. Methods A self-administered and anonymous questionnaire based on the theory of reasoned action of Triandis was distributed to parents of children aged 0-59 months in nine childcare centers on the island of Montreal. Results The response rate of the survey was 32.0% (N=185). The vaccination uptake for children was 84%; this represents a higher coverage than the average regional and national levels. However, only 46% of the parents said that they would vaccinate their child again if a new flu pandemic was being declared by the World Health Organization. The most significant factors associated with vaccination uptake were positive personal beliefs, getting seasonal flu vaccines and the influence of media, all measured by several indicators (respective odds ratio 7,7, 3,1 and 4,2, p<0,05). Conclusion Several contextual factors played in favour of acceptable vaccination rates among children. However, the establishment of a campaign of vaccination by government authorities and public health agencies while using various media to spread information could contribute to higher vaccination rates in a future case of epidemic or pandemic.

Childhood obesity is becoming a challenging issue in China, and parents may playa key role in the development of adolescent obesity. However, the relationships between certain parent-related factors and the development of adolescent obesity are rarely reported in China. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the relationship among Chinese parents' perception of their children's weight, parenting behaviors, parenting style, and adolescents' weight status. Two studies were performed to achieve this purpose. / Key words: adolescent obesity, parenting behaviors, parenting styles / The first study (Chapter 3) examines the validity and reliability of the questionnaires for adolescents and parents; the questionnaires are intended to measure parenting behaviors, parents' perception of their children's weight, and parenting styles in the Chinese context. Several steps were performed. First, the questionnaires were selected based on their validity and reliability, as well as their applicability to the Chinese adolescent and parenting context. Second, the questionnaires were translated into Chinese using a cross-cultural translation technique. Third, five experts were invited to evaluate the content validity and feasibility of the questionnaires for application in the Chinese population. Fourth, 15 pairs of adolescents and their parents were invited to attend a short interview after completing the experimental version of the questionnaires. They were asked to share comments on the readability and cultural relevance of the questionnaire. The questionnaires were then revised according to their feedback. Fifth, 127 pairs of adolescents (10-15 years old) and their parents (Ganzhou: 62 pairs, Shantou: 65 pairs) were recruited to examine the retest reliability and internal consistency of the questionnaires. Sixth, the data collected in the main survey were used to examine construct validity. The result showed that 10 items were excluded because of poor content validity or low intraclass correlation coefficient (&lt;0.7). The internal consistencies of the subscales (ranging from 0.61 to 0.81) were found to be acceptable (Cronbach's alpha >0.6). The goodness-of-fit statistics (RMSEA, CFI, and NNFI) also indicated acceptable fit for the theory models. The results suggest that the validity and reliability of the questionnaires are acceptable, and the questionnaires are applicable to Chinese adolescents and parents in Southern China. / The second study (Chapters 4,5,6) determines the relationships among parenting behaviors, parents' perception of their children's weight, parenting style, and adolescent weight status. A total of 2,143 adolescents and 1,869 parents were recruited from secondary schools in Ganzhou and Shantou in China. The adolescents' weights and heights were measured by trained testers. The dietary habits and physical activity level of the adolescents, as well as parenting behaviors, parenting styles, parents' perception of their children's weight, and demographic information were collected through questionnaires issued to the adolescents and parents validated in Study 1. Several parenting behaviors, including "pressure to eat" and "diet and PA monitoring," were found to be significantly related to adolescents' age and gender-specific BMI Z score (Z-BMI), although the correlation coefficients were low (r ranged from -0.23 to 0.09, p (r ranged from -0.23 to 0.09, p&lt;0.01). The results of the hierarchical multiple regression revealed that "pressure to eat" and "diet and PA monitoring" were the predictors of adolescent Z-BMI. The results of Kappa statistics showed that only a slight agreement exists between parental perception of their children's weights and the adolescents' actual weights (Kappa=0.221, p&lt;0.01). A significant difference in parenting behaviors was found between parents with correct and incorrect perceptions of their children's weight. Compared with the reference authoritative parenting style, the odds of acquiring unhealthy dietary habits were significantly higher for children with authoritarian (Father: OR=1.67, 95%CI: 1.29-2.16; Mother: OR=1.72, 95%CI: 1.31-2.26) and neglectful (Father: OR=2.17, 95%CI: 1.66-2.82; Mother: OR=2.29, 95%CI: 1.76-3.00) parents. The odds of being physically inactive for children with neglectful parents were almost twice than that for children with authoritative parents (Father: OR=2.05, 95%CI: 1.37-3.06; Mother: OR=1.77, 95%CI: 1.18-2.67). Significant differences were found in the parenting behaviors of parents with four different parenting styles. However, no association was found between parenting style and adolescent weight. The data of this study suggest that parenting behaviors are weakly but significantly associated with the development of adolescent obesity. Misclassifications of children's weight status were prevalent among Chinese parents. Parental perceptions of their children's weights were associated with some parenting behaviors related to children's weight development. The adolescents' dietary habits, physical activity, and some parenting behaviors were associated with parenting style. However, there was no direct association between parenting style and adolescent weight. / Wen, Xu. / Adviser: Stanley Sai-Chuen Hui. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-03, Section: A, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 130-163). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.