Charlotte Johnston

Parental social cognitions: considerations in the acceptability of and engagement in behavioral parent training.

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.

Positive illusions of social competence in girls with and without ADHD

We compared social self-competence ratings in 9–12xa0year old girls with (nu2009=u200942) versus without (nu2009=u200940) ADHD, relative to ratings of the girls’ social competence made by mothers, teachers, and blind raters during a social laboratory task. Relative to scores from mothers, teachers, and the lab-task, girls with ADHD over-estimated their competence significantly more than control girls. Over-estimates were greater for girls with ADHD who also had heightened oppositional-defiant symptoms, or lower depressive symptoms. Over-estimates were positively related to a socially desirable reporting bias for girls with ADHD, but not for control girls, suggesting that girls with ADHD attempt to present themselves in an unduly positive, self-protective light. For girls with ADHD, over-estimates also were positively related to maladjustment and negatively related to adjustment. However, for girls without ADHD, over-estimates were positively related to adjustment. Overall, over-estimates of competence function differently in girls with and without ADHD.

Mothers' reports of parenting in families of children with symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Relations to impression management

ABSTRACT We investigated the relations between a tendency to respond in a socially desirable manner and mothers reports of their parenting behaviors, and the influence of social desirability on the associations among parenting practices and mothers and childrens symptoms. Forty-two mothers of 7 to 12 year old boys with symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) completed two self-report measures of parenting practices. In general, these reports demonstrate expected correlations with observations of mothers behavior, and with mothers reports of hyperactive-impulsive and oppositional child behaviors and reports of their own hostility and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms. Although mothers reports on one of the parenting measures are related to scores on an impression management scale, the correlations between parenting reports and maternal and child symptomatology are essentially unaltered with impression management scores controlled. Results suggest that reports of parenting in mothers of children with ADHD symptoms are not unduly influenced by impression management, and are related to both maternal and child functioning.

Parenting cognitions and treatment beliefs as predictors of experience using behavioral parenting strategies in families of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

We tested a model of mothers parenting efficacy and attributions for child ADHD behaviors as predictors of experiences with behavioral treatment. The model proposed that mothers beliefs regarding the acceptability and effectiveness of behavioral strategies would intervene between mothers cognitions about parenting and child behavior and their treatment experiences. Participants were 101 mothers of 5- to 10-year-old children (82% male) with ADHD. Mothers reported their parenting efficacy and attributions for child behavior, and then received a single session of treatment teaching 2 behavior management strategies. Then, mothers reported their beliefs regarding the acceptability and effectiveness of these strategies. A follow-up phone interview 1 week later assessed mothers experiences in using the behavioral strategies. The overall model fit the data. Attributions of child ADHD behavior as more pervasive, enduring, and within the childs control were related to seeing behavioral treatment as more acceptable, but neither attributions nor treatment acceptability predicted treatment experience. However, mothers with higher parenting efficacy viewed the behavioral strategies as more likely to be effective, and this pathway significantly predicted positive treatment experience. Implications for understanding the variables that contribute to parental decision-making and treatment participation for childhood ADHD are considered.

Child Impairment and Parenting Self-Efficacy in Relation to Mothers’ Views of ADHD Treatments

Objective: This study assessed the relations of child impairment and parenting self-efficacy with parental views of the acceptability and effectiveness of behavioral, medication, and combined treatments for child ADHD. Child impairment and parenting self-efficacy were also assessed in relation to the effectiveness views of specific behavioral treatment strategies. Method: Ninety-five mothers of children with ADHD completed questionnaires assessing child impairment, parenting self-efficacy, perceptions of the overall acceptability and effectiveness of ADHD treatments, and views of the effectiveness of specific behavioral treatment strategies. Results: Hierarchical linear modeling using child impairment and parenting self-efficacy as predictors of treatment views suggests that mothers viewed combined treatments as most acceptable and effective when their child was more impaired, and mothers with higher parenting self-efficacy rated behavioral treatment strategies as more effective. Conclusion: Child impairment and parenting self-efficacy are related to perceptions of the acceptability and/or effectiveness of ADHD treatments.

Child Impairment and Parenting Self-Efficacy in Relation to Mothers’ Views of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Treatments

Objective: This study assessed the relations of child impairment and parenting self-efficacy with parental views of the acceptability and effectiveness of behavioral, medication, and combined treatments for child ADHD. Child impairment and parenting self-efficacy were also assessed in relation to the effectiveness views of specific behavioral treatment strategies. Method: Ninetyfive mothers of children with ADHD completed questionnaires assessing child impairment, parenting self-efficacy, perceptions of the acceptability and effectiveness of ADHD treatments, and views of the effectiveness of specific behavioral treatment strategies. Results: Hierarchical linear modeling using child impairment and parenting self-efficacy as predictors of treatment views suggest that mothers viewed combined treatments as most acceptable and effective when their child was more impaired, and mothers with higher parenting self-efficacy rated behavioral treatment strategies as more effective. Conclusion: Child impairment and parenting self-efficacy are related to perceptions of the acceptability and/or effectiveness of ADHD treatments.