Abstract
This study examined the interactions of fathers and mothers with their hyperactive and normal children during both free-play and task periods. Eighteen hyperactive and 18 normal boys were observed interacting separately with their mothers and fathers in a playroom setting. Behavioral observations indicated, with minor exceptions, that fathers and mothers did not differ in their interactions with their sons. Substantial differences were found between hyperactive and normal boys in their parent-child interactions, particularly during the task setting. Hyperactive boys were generally less compliant and their parents more directive than normal parent-child dyads. Methodological problems are discussed that may have precluded the emergence of differences between mothers and fathers in their interactions with their sons.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barkley, R.Hyperactive children: A handbook for diagnosis and treatment. New York: Guilford Press, 1981. (a)
Barkley, R. The use of psychopharmacology to study reciprocal influence in parent-child interactions.Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 1981,9, 303–310. (b)
Barkley, R. Guidelines for defining hyperactivity in children. In B. Lahey & A. Kazdin (Eds.),Advances in clinical child psychology (Vol. 5). New York: Plenum, 1982.
Barkley, R., & Cunningham, C. E. The effects of Ritalin on the mother-child interactions of hyperactive children.Archives of General Psychiatry, 1979,36, 201–208.
Barkley, R., & Cunningham, C. E. The parent-child interactions of hyperactive children and their modification by stimulant drugs. In R. Knights & D. Bakker (Eds.),Treatment of hyperactive and learning disordered children. Baltimore: University Park Press, 1980.
Barton, K., & Ericksen, L. K. Differences between mothers and fathers in teaching style and child-rearing practices.Psychological Reports, 1981,49, 237–238.
Battle, E. S., & Lacey, B. A context for hyperactivity in children, over time.Child Development, 1972,43, 757–773.
Bell, R. Q. A reinterpretation of the direction of effects in studies of socialization.Psychological Review, 1968,75, 81–95.
Bell, R. Q. Four new research approaches to socialization: An evaluation of their advantages and disadvantages.Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 1981,9, 341–345.
Bell, R. Q., & Harper, H.Child effects on adults. Hillsdale, New Jersey: Erlbaum, 1977.
Bosco, J., & Robin, S. Hyperkinesis: Prevalence and treatment. In C. Whalen & B. Henker (Eds.),Hyperactive children: The social ecology of identification and treatment. New York: Academic Press, 1980.
Campbell, S. Mother-child interaction in reflective, impulsive, and hyperactive children.Devlopmental Psychology, 1973,8, 341–347.
Campbell, S. Mother-child interaction: A comparison of hyperactive, learning disabled and normal boys.American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 1975,45, 51–57.
Campbell, S., Schleifer, M., Weiss, G., & Perlman, T. A two year follow-up hyperactive preschoolers.American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 1977,47, 149–162.
Clarke-Stewart, K. And daddy makes three: The father's impact on mother and young child.Child Development, 1978,49, 466–478.
Conners, C. K. Rating scales for use in drug studies with children.Psychopharmacology Bulletin (Special Issue, Pharmacotherapy in Children), 1973, 24–29.
Cunningham, C., & Barkley, R. The effects of Ritalin on the mother-child interactions of hyperkinetic twin boys.Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 1978,20, 634–642.
Cunningham, C., & Barkley, R. The interactions of normal and hyperactive children with their mothers in free play and structured tasks.Child Development, 1979,50, 217–224.
Dunn, L.The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test. Circle Pines, Minnesota: American Guidance Service, 1981.
Felton, E. The fathers (not the mothers): Their importance and influence with infants and young children.Annual Progress in Child Psychiatry and Child Development, 1977, 81–107.
Goyette, C. H., Conners, C. K., & Ulrich, R. F. Normative data on Revised Conners Parent and Teacher Rating Scales.Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 1978,6, 221–236.
Henderson, J. On fathering: The nature and functions of the father role: I. Acquiring an understanding of the father role.Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 1980,25, 403–412. (a)
Henderson, J. On fathering: The nature and functions of the father role: II. Conceptualization of fathering.Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 1980,25, 413–431. (b)
Hollingshead, A. B.Two Factor Index and Social Position. New Haven: 1965.
Humphries, T., Kinsbourne, M., & Swanson, J. Stimulant effects on cooperation and social interaction between hyperactive children and their mothers.Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines, 1918,19, 13–32.
Katz, S., Saraf, K., & Gittelman-Klein, R., & Klein, D. Clinical pharmacological management of hyperkinetic children. In D. Klein, & R. Gittelman-Klein, (Eds.),Progress in psychiatric drug treatment. New York: Brunner/Mazel, 1976.
Keller, B. The study of reciprocal influences through experimental modification of social interaction between functional adult-child pairs.Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 1981,9, 311–319.
Lamb, M. E. (Ed.).The role of the father in child development. New York: Wiley, 1976.
Lamb, M. E. The development of mother-infant and father-infant attachments in the second year of life.Developmental Psychology, 1977,13, 637–648.
Langlois, J., & Downs, A. Mothers, fathers, and peers as socialization agents of sex-typed play behaviors in young children.Child Development, 1980,51, 1237–1247.
Love, L., & Kaswan, J.Troubled children. New York: Wiley, 1974.
Lytton, H. Observation studies of parent-child interactions: A methodological review.Child Development, 1971,42, 651–684.
Mash, E., Terdal, L., & Anderson, K. The response class matrix: A procedure for recording parent-child interactions.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1973,40, 163.
Routh, D., Schroeder, C., & O'Tuama, L. Development of activity level in children.Developmental Psychology, 1974,10, 163–168.
Safer, R., & Allen, D.Hyperactive children: Diagnosis and management. Baltimore: University Park Press, 1976.
Stollak, G., Messe, L., Michaels, G., Buldain, R., Catlin, R. T., & Paritee, F. Parental interpersonal perceptual style, child adjustment, and parent-child interactions.Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 1982,10, 61–76.
Tauber, M. Sex differences in parent-child interaction styles during a free-play session.Child Development, 1979,50, 981–988.
Trites, R., Dugas, F., Lynch, G., & Ferguson, B. Incidence of hyperactivity.Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 1979.
Winer, B.Statistical principles in experimental design (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill, 1971.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This study was supported in part by funds provided by the Department of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin. The authors would like to thank William Kuzbyt for his assistance in the data collection and Linda Berlin for preparation of the manuscript.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tallmadge, J., Barkley, R.A. The interactions of hyperactive and normal boys with their fathers and mothers. J Abnorm Child Psychol 11, 565–580 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00917085
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00917085