A multidimensional approach to a theory of parent behavior [microform]
- Bib ID:
- 3287294
- Format:
- Book and Microform
- Author:
- Ownby, Raymond Lee
- Description:
- 168 p.
- Summary:
-
This study investigates the underlying dimensional structure of judgments about parent behavior as a means by which to arrive at a conceptual framework for the description of parent behavior. Such a framework is important for the integration of current research findings so that a theory of the effects of parent behavior on children can be derived. It is argued that child development research has focused on situations which are easily controlled, sacrificing ecological validity, or on social questions such as the effects of day care on children in an attempt to provide guidance for social policy decisions. The result has been that research findings are difficult to relate as the notions upon which the studies are based are not easily compared. An empirically-based theory of the effects of parent behavior would be a useful guide to decision making in the social policy, research, and clinical spheres.
One approach to the development of a theory of parent behavior judged potentially fruitful is to investigate what other researchers have considered the underlying elements of parent behavior as well as on interpersonal behavior more generally. A review of the literature on parent and interpersonal behavior shows that a large number of studies using techniques such as factor analysis and clustering have revealed similar factors of parent behavior. A majority of these studies suggest that two principal factors of parent behavior are affection-hostility and control-autonomy. Other studies have indicated various less clear factors in addition to these. Several of these weaker factors are reinterpreted here as reflecting the psychological intensity dimension underlying judgments about parent behavior. This study utilizes alpha factor analysis, hierarchical clustering, and multidimensional scaling to investigate the dimensional structure of judgments about parent behavior.
Distinct from most other studies which used exclusively parent behavior derived from a questionnaire based on a priori notions about what aspects of parenting are important, this study draws parent behaviors from transcriptions of open-ended interviews with parents about their typical behaviors. Results of the alpha factor analysis and hierarchical clustering are consistent in finding several dimensions congruent with the results of previous researches. Different from previous studies, this research finds that a major aspect of parenting distinct from affection was one labeled "active involvement." Behaviors making up this dimension suggested activities of the parent undertaken primarily to gratify the child's interests, such as play or companionship, which were not primarily oriented toward the satisfaction of children's affectional or physical needs or toward controlling the child's behavior.
The differences between this and other studies are attributed mainly to methodological differences. It is argued that this study's method is more likely valid because it uses parent interviews to develop the basic item pool of parent behaviors. It is also argued that this set of dimensions may be adequate for the description of parent behavior. It is shown that this new framework can account for some extant research findings, and a tentative model of good parenting is proposed. The implications of this research for future study and for clinical practice with children and parents are discussed.
- Notes:
-
- (UnM)AAI8024599
- Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 41-07, Section: A, page: 3015.
- Thesis (Ph.D.)--Kent State University, 1980.
- Reproduction:
- Microfiche. Ann Arbor, Mich.: University Microfilms International.
- Subject:
- Education, Educational Psychology
- Other authors/contributors:
- Kent State University
- Copyright:
-
In Copyright
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Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Literary Dramatic Musical
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 1980
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