Disruptive behaviour disorders (DBDs) in children are among the most common referrals to mental health services and can lead to adverse psychosocial outcomes. There is consistent evidence that dysfunctional parenting, which has been associated with parental psychopathology, is a risk factor for the onset of these disorders. Yet, few studies have explored a wide range of parental pathology and parenting behaviours as well as perceptions of mental health and parenting of the parents of children with DBDs. This study, which took the form of a multiple case study, aimed to explore and describe the mental health and parenting of parents of pre-adolescent and adolescent children with DBDs. It also aimed to explore and describe parental perceptions of their own mental health and parenting and how (or if) they perceive their mental health as influencing their parenting. Purposive sampling was used to select participants and the sample size was determined through data saturation. Data was collected via the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory and a semi-structured interview. Thematic content analysis and cross-case synthesis were used to analyse the data. The participants’ personality profiles indicated the presence of moderate to severe pathology including personality disorders and clinical disorders. Parenting themes that emerged included a number of dysfunctional parenting behaviours. The parents showed an awareness of their mental health and perceived it as influencing their parenting. This study emphasised the importance of exploring mental health and parenting interventions for parents of children with DBDs. The biggest limitations of this study was the small sample size.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:nmmu/vital:9957 |
| Date | January 2013 |
| Creators | Ligthelm, Elizabeth |
| Publisher | Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Faculty of Health Sciences |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis, Masters, MA |
| Format | xiv, 201 leaves, pdf |
| Rights | Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University |
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