Abstract
Effective psychiatric treatment for children requires the active participation of the children's parents. This paper describes a training model that has been applied successfully to diverse groups of parents of hospitalized children. Lecture, role-playing, and other techniques are used to help parents implement social learning concepts with their children. Applications range from the judicious use of praise to elaborate contingency management systems, depending upon the abilities and needs of the parents. The authors argue that this model has wide applicability and is especially amenable to an outpatient setting.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Andry, R. G. Faulty parental and maternal-child relationships, affection and delinquency.British Journal of Delinquency, 1957,8, 34–48.
Andry, R. G.Delinquency and parental pathology (Rev. ed.). London: Staples Press, 1971.
Blakely, B., Stephenson, P. S., & Nichol, H. Social factors in a random sample of juvenile delinquents and controls.International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 1974,20, 203–217.
Clark, M. L. Teaching parents applied behavior analysis: A training program for the prevention and remediation of behavior problems (Doctoral dissertation, University of Kansas, 1975).,Dissertation Abstracts International, 1975,36, 3560A. (University Microfilms No. 75-26, 373)
Clement, P. W. Parents, peers, and child patients make the best therapists. In G. J. Williams & S. Gordon (Eds.),Clinical child psychology, New York: Behavioral Publications, 1974.
Coe, W. C., & Black, D. R. An exploratory study evaluating a behavioral approach to disrupted family interactions.Corrective and Social Psychiatry and Journal of Behavior Technology, Methods and Therapy, 1976,22 (4), 46–49.
Dokecki, P. The liaison perspective on the enhancement of human development: Theoretical, historical, and experiential background.Journal of Community Psychology, 1977,5, 13–17.
Douds, A. F., Engelsgjerd, M., & Collingwood, T. R. Behavior contracting with youthful offenders and their parents.Child Welfare, 1977,61, 409–417.
Epstein, N. Brief group therapy in a child guidance clinic.In H. H. Barten & S. S. Barten (Eds.),Children and their parents in brief therapy. New York: Behavioral Publications, 1973.
Gleuck, S. & Gleuck, E.Unraveling juvenile delinquency. New York: Commonwealth Fund, 1950.
Gray, S. W., & Klaus, R. A. The early training project: A seven year report.Child Development, 1970,41, 909–924.
Hanson, T. R. Training parents as reinforcement therapists for their own children (Doctoral dissertation, University of Arizona, 1974).Dissertation Abstracts International, 1975,35, 4174B. (University Microfilms No..75-4108)
Hobbs, N.The futures of children. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1975.
Holland, C. Elimination by the parents of fire-setting behavior in a seven-year-old boy. In J. M. Stedman, W. F. Patton, & K. F. Walton (Eds.),Clinical studies in behavior therapy with children adolescents and their families. Springfield, Ill: Charles C. Thomas, 1973.
Howard, O. F. Teaching a class of parents as reinforcement therapists to treat their own children. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Southwestern Psychological Association, Louisville, Kentucky, 1970.
Jensen, G. F. Parents, peers, and delinquent action: A test of the differential association perspective.American Journal of Sociology, 1972,78, 562–575.
Larson, C. C., & Talley L. K. Family resistance to therapy: A model for services and therapists' roles.Child Welfare, 1977,61, 121–126.
McCord, J., & McCord, W. The effects of parental role model on criminality.Journal of Social Issues, 1958,14, 66–75.
Miller, W. H.Systematic parent training: Procedures, cases and issues. Champaign, Ill.: Research Press, 1975.
Nye, F. I.Family relationships and delinquent behavior. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1958.
O'Leary, D. K., O'Leary, S., & Becker, W. C. Modification of a deviant interaction pattern in the home.Behavior Research and Therapy, 1967,5, 113–120.
Patterson, G. R., & Cobb, J. A. A dyadic analysis of ‘aggressive behaviors’. In J. P. Hill (Ed.),Proceedings of the Fifth Minnesota Symposia on Child Psychology. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota, 1971.
Peterson, D. R. & Becker, W. C. Family interaction and delinquency. In H. C. Quay (Ed.),Juvenile delinquency: Research and theory. Princeton, N. J.: D. Van Nostrand, 1965.
Phillips, E. L., & Johnston, M. S. H. Theoretical and clinical aspects of short-term parent-child psychotherapy. In H. H. Barten & S. S. Barten, (Eds.),Children and their parents in brief therapy. New York: Behavioral Publications, 1973.
Riege, M. G. Parental affection and juvenile delinquency in girls.British Journal of Criminology, 1972,12, 55–73.
Rodman, H., & Grams, P. Family and delinquency. In President's Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice,Task force report on juvenile delinquency and youth crime. Washington, D. C.: Government Printing Office, 1967.
Rose, S. D. Group training of parents as behavior modifiers.Social Work. 1974,19, 156–162.
Rothaus, F. D., & Wolkon, G. H. Continuity of care between the psychiatric hospital and public schools.Community Mental Health Journal, 1977,13, 46–53.
Slocum, W., & Stone, C. L. Family culture patterns and delinquent-type behavior.Marriage and Family Living, 1963,25, 203–208.
Weinberg, S. K. Sociological processes and factors in juvenile delinquency. In J. S. Roucek (Ed.)Juvenile delinquency. New York: Philosophical Library, 1958.
West, D. J. Are delinquents different?New Society, 1973,26, 456–458.
Williams, J. S. Liaison functions as reflected in a case study.Journal of Community Psychology, 1977,5, 18–23.
Wolf, M., Phillips, E. L., & Fixsen, D. L. The teaching family: A new model for the treatment of deviant child behavior in the community. In S. W. Bijou & E. Ribes-Inesta (Eds.),Behavior modification: Issues and extensions. New York: Academic Press, 1972.
Wolkon, G. H., Lanier, D. & Moriwaki, S. Organizational functioning and care in a children's treatment center.Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 1971,12, 348–354.
Zeilberger, J., Sampen, S., & Sloane, H. Modification of a child's problem behaviors in the home with the mother as therapist.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1968,1, 47–53.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Robinson, C.M., Robinson, L.W. Involving parents in the treatment of behaviorally disordered children. Clin Soc Work J 7, 182–193 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00760495
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00760495