Maternal executive function, authoritarian attitudes, and hostile attribution bias as interacting predictors of harsh parenting.

Executive function (EF) plays a key role in healthy development and human functioning across multiple domains, including socially, behaviorally, and in the self-regulation of cognition and emotion. Prior research has associated lower levels of maternal EF with harsher and more reactive parenting, and mothers' social cognitive attributes like authoritarian child-rearing attitudes and hostile attribution biases also contribute to harsh parenting practices. There have been few studies that explore the intersection of maternal EF and social cognitions. The present study addresses this gap by testing whether the relationship between individual differences in maternal EF and harsh parenting behaviors is statistically moderated separately by maternal authoritarian attitudes and hostile attribution bias. Participants were 156 mothers in a socioeconomically diverse sample. Multi-informant and multimethod assessments of harsh parenting and EF were utilized, and mothers self-reported on their child-rearing attitudes and attribution bias. Harsh parenting was negatively associated with maternal EF and hostile attribution bias. Authoritarian attitudes significantly interacted with EF (and the attribution bias interaction was marginally significant) in prediction of variance in harsh parenting behaviors. Commensurate with social information processing theory, EF and social cognitive attributes play critical and distinct roles in the causes of harsh caregiving practices. Findings elucidate that reforming parental social cognitions, in addition to targeting EF, may be effective prevention and intervention methods for yielding more positive parenting behaviors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Multidimensional Assessment of Parenting Scale.

Parenting practices have been linked to a wide range of issues related to children's psychological adjustment; however, more research is warranted to further understand not only cultural variations of parenting norms, but also how such variations might differentially influence child outcomes. The current study examined the psychometric properties of a Chinese translation of the Multidimensional Assessment of Parenting Scale (MAPS) in order to: (a) assess both positive and negative dimensions of parenting in Chinese-speaking societies and (b) to explore the association between these practices and children's psychopathological symptoms. A total of 2,237 parents with children between 6 and 12 years old completed the MAPS, Interpersonal Mindfulness in Parenting Scale (IM-P), adapted Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), and other measures related to children's psychosocial functioning. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) revealed a clear six-factor structure. Strong to strict measurement invariance for child gender, parent gender, and child age were found. The results demonstrated adequate psychometric properties in terms of internal consistency and test-retest reliability. MAPS subscales also showed concurrent and convergent validity with mindful parenting, parent-child bonding, and children's psychopathology outcomes. The Chinese version of the MAPS will help facilitate multidimensional parenting research in Chinese-speaking societies and promote future cross-cultural studies examining the effect of positive and negative parenting on children's psychopathological adjustment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Study protocol: randomized controlled trial of manualized components in home visitation to reduce mothers' risk for child maltreatment.

BACKGROUND: This study tests whether home visitation to prevent child maltreatment can be improved by adding manualized program components, targeting four key risk factors for child maltreatment: low parental self-efficacy, high levels of perceived stress, parental anger, and post-traumatic stress symptoms. Home visitation is widely implemented, but effects on child maltreatment risk tend to be modest at best. Home visitation tends to be rather flexible (i.e., professionals decide how to support each family). We will test whether adding manualized program components increases program effectiveness, by ensuring that key risk factors are addressed, while maintaining flexibility. In addition, we will test whether any component effects on reduced child maltreatment risk can be explained (i.e., is mediated) by ameliorated risk factors. Lastly, we will test whether the components are more effective for some mothers (e.g., those at highest child maltreatment risk) than for others. METHODS: We will conduct a randomized controlled trial among 398 mothers enrolled in a Dutch home visiting program targeting families at risk for child maltreatment. Mothers in the experimental group will receive the manualized components in two consecutive home visits, while mothers in the control group will receive regular home visits (care as usual). Mothers will fill out questionnaires at four time points: before and after each of the two home visits. Outcome variables include the four targeted risk factors parental self-efficacy, perceived stress, parental anger, and (recognition of) post-traumatic stress symptoms, as well as parenting practices (e.g., rejection and affection), and risk for child maltreatment. DISCUSSION: This study aims to determine whether adding manualized program components to a flexible home visiting program increases program effectiveness on risk for child maltreatment. In addition, our test of whether the effects of the components on risk for child maltreatment is explained (i.e., mediated) by amelioration of the targeted risk factors, may contribute to our understanding of the role of these risk factors in child maltreatment. Our tests of which mothers benefit most from adding the components may help move the field towards evidence-based personalized family support. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial has been retrospectively registered in the Netherlands Trial Register (NL8005).

Factors Associated With Family Member's Spanking of 3.5-year-old Children in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Spanking can cause adverse psychological development and biological functional changes in children. However, spanking is widely used by parents in Japan. This study explored the risk factors for family member's spanking of 3.5-year-old children using nationwide population data in Japan. METHODS: Surveys were administered to family members in Japan who had a child in 2001 (first cohort) or in 2010 (second cohort), and the data when their child was 0.5, 1.5, and 3.5 years old were used. We used multivariate binary and ordinal logistic regression analyses to examine the associations between risk factors and spanking children at 3.5 years of age, which was subcategorized into frequencies of never, sometimes, and always spanking, presented with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Among 70,450 families, 62.8% and 7.9% sometimes and always spanked their children, respectively. Children in the second cohort were spanked less frequently compared with those in the first cohort, and fathers who responded to the questionnaire spanked children less frequently than mothers who responded. Identified associated factors for spanking were male child, presence of siblings of the child, not living in a two-parent household, not living in a three-generation household, younger parents, parents with lower education, no outside work or unstable work, and lower family income. CONCLUSIONS: We found a high prevalence of spanking and its associated factors. Approaching those with lower socioeconomic factors and promoting fathers' involvement in parenting may be important public health strategies for reducing and preventing spanking.

Lived Experience of Pediatric Home Health Care Among Families of Children With Medical Complexity.

Background. For children with complex medical conditions, pediatric home health care is a chronic need. It is a clinical service delivered entirely outside of clinical settings, granting families unparalleled expertise regarding service quality. Methods. Telephone interviews with parents whose children have extensive experiences with home health care. Results: Five themes emerged: (1) benefits of home health care include child survival and family stability; (2) family life is inextricable from home health care schedules, staffing, and services; (3) home health care gaps threaten family physical, mental, and financial well-being; (4) Out-of-pocket costs are common; and (5) families must fight for services as their children's medical conditions evolve. Conclusions. Families understand better than prescribers, providers, or policy makers what is working, and what is not, with home health care. Family expertise should be the foundation for training other families, clinicians, and home health care agencies, and should be a central component of policy and advocacy in this area.

Misusing uteruses? Childrearing capacity and access to transplantable wombs.

In light of recent successful uterus transplantations, it is reasonable to expect that womb transplants will become more commonplace in the future. If this happens, important questions emerge about who should receive the donated wombs. Some arguments have been advanced that suggest that potential recipients should be screened for their anticipated childrearing capacity, as one component of a comprehensive process for determining eligibility. The main arguments provided in support of this position have to do with the presumed responsibility of the state to protect future children from harm, and with avoiding complicity for any resulting harm experienced by the child born through the transplanted uterus. The purpose of this paper is to reject this position, based on two main criticisms: (1) screening potential uterus recipients for anticipated childrearing ability, but not also screening other kinds of morally equal family builders, is unjustly discriminatory; and (2) with respect to actions performed in good faith (e.g. providing a transplantable uterus to someone for the purpose of having a child), one is not morally blameworthy for the consequences of those actions (a) that one did not intend, and (b) that were directly caused by someone else, and (c) where others are directly responsible for making sure that those consequences do not come about. These criticisms are sufficient for concluding that the state is not justified in assessing the anticipated childrearing capacity of potential uterus recipients, and this is so regardless of whether or not there is a scarcity of transplantable uteruses available.

Sobre escolas, bebês e crianças: alguns impasses do educar / Acerca de las escuelas, los bebés y los niños: algunos impases de educar hoy / About schools, babies and children: some impasses of educating today

A partir de algumas situações atuais, a rotina escolar e a clínica psicanalítica, o artigo discute os novos sintomas apresentados pelas crianças e suas consequências para as famílias e escolas em relação à educação e seus impasses. Retoma-se o texto freudiano sobre os impasses do processo civilizatório para apontar o que de estrutural existe nesta questão. Discute-se a atual mutação cultural e seus principais traços: a dificuldade de transmitir a falta no processo educativo, a anulação da diferença e a exacerbação do narcisismo. Conclui-se com a hipótese de uma nova organização social em implantação: o matriarcado, com o império da natureza sobre os aspectos simbólicos.

De algunas situaciones de la actualidad, la rutina escolar y la clínica psicoanalítica, el artículo discute los nuevos síntomas presentados por los niños y sus consecuencias para las familias y las escuelas en relación con la educación y sus impases. El texto freudiano se reanuda en los impases del proceso civilizante para señalar lo estructural que existe en esta cuestión. La mutación cultural actual y sus principales rasgos se discuten: la dificultad de transmitir la falta en el proceso educativo, la anulación de la diferencia y la exacerbación del narcisismo. Concluye con la hipótesis de una nueva organización social en ejecución: el matriarcado, con el imperio de la naturaleza sobre los aspectos simbólicos.

From some situations of the present day, the school routine and the psychoanalytic clinic, the article discusses the new symptoms presented by the children and their consequences for families and schools in terms of educating and their impasses. The Freudian text is resumed on the impasses of the civilizing process to point out what structural exists in this issue. The current cultural mutation and its main traits are discussed: the difficulty of transmitting the lack in the educational process, the annulment of the difference and the exacerbation of narcissism. It concludes with the hypothesis of a new social organization in implementation: the matriarchy, with the empire of nature on the symbolic aspects.

Child discipline in low- and middle-income countries: Socioeconomic disparities at the household- and country-level.

BACKGROUND: In the past month, an estimated eight of ten children worldwide have experienced violent discipline. Understanding the economic and social contexts in which parents are more likely to use particular disciplinary practices is necessary to reduce violence against children. Critical examination of disciplinary practices and beliefs in cross-country analysis of low- and middle-income countries (LMICS) has been limited. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the association of country-level stressors and household-level economic stressors with disciplinary behaviors and beliefs. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Using Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey data between 2010 and 2013, 231,221 parents from 32 LMICS were included. METHODS: The prevalence of past-month nonviolent discipline, physical discipline, psychological aggression, belief in the utility of physical discipline, and incongruence of disciplinary practice and belief were estimated. Country-level prevalence was regressed on country-level stressors (economic burden, economic inequality, human security, and human development). Individual-level disciplinary practices and beliefs were regressed on household wealth. RESULTS: Country-level stressors predicted psychological and physical discipline use and belief in the utility of physical discipline. Lower household wealth was associated with increased violent disciplinary practice and belief. Lower household wealth was associated with increased likelihood of using violent discipline, even when the caregiver did not believe in its utility (OR = 1.63 [1.34, 1.98]). CONCLUSIONS: Discipline use and belief in LMICS should be understood within the context of salient societal and household stressors.Parental disciplinary beliefs and practices reflect complex interplay with broader social, political and economic contexts and should not be taken to be defined by monolithic views of culture.

O papel da vinculação aos pais e da regulação emocional no investimento esquemático na aparência em jovens adultos / The Role of Parental Attachment and Emotional Regulation on Schematic Investment in Appearance in Young Adults

Resumo Os vínculos afetivos que se estabelecem na infância podem ter efeitos no desenvolvimento emocional dos jovens. A vinculação segura pode potenciar a capacidade de regulação emocional e proporcionar uma imagem de si mais positiva, gerando comportamentos ajustados de investimento na aparência. A presente investigação objetivou analisar o papel da vinculação aos pais e da regulação emocional no investimento esquemático na aparência. Foram usados instrumentos de autorrelato numa amostra constituída por 948 jovens adultos (18-30 anos) de ambos os sexos. Evidenciou-se o papel significativo que a qualidade de vinculação aos pais e a regulação emocional assumem no desenvolvimento de um investimento ajustado na aparência. Verificou-se ainda o efeito mediador positivo das dificuldades de regulação emocional entre a inibição da exploração e individualidade mãe e a saliência auto-avaliativa.

Abstract. The affective bonds that are established in childhood can have effects on the emotional development of young people. The secure attachment can potentiate the ability of emotional regulation, provide a more positive image of yourself and, therefore, adjusted investment behaviors in appearance. This study aims to analyze the role of parental attachment and the emotional regulation in the schematic investment in appearance. Self-report instruments were used on a sample that consisted of 948 young adults (18 and 30 years) of both genders. The study highlighted the significant role that the quality of parental attachment and emotional regulation take in developing an investment adjusted in appearance. The results showed the positive mediator effect of difficulties in emotional regulation between the inhibition of exploration and individuality mother and the self-evaluative salience.

Rural Native and European American Custodial Grandparents: Stressors, Resources, and Resilience.

Native American grandparents by tradition are expected to play a role in rearing grandchildren. However, in many Native grandfamilies, grandparents are rearing grandchildren not by choice or tradition, but as the result of family crises that necessitated grandparent intervention. European American grandparents have likewise been called to rear their grandchildren when their adult children are unable or unwilling to perform parental duties. Less is known about these custodial grandparents' resilience pathways, particularly among rural grandfamilies. Guided by the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment, and Adaptation, this study examined the relationships between stressors, resources, and resilience among rural Native and European American custodial grandparents. Correlates of resilience were economic stress and stress management. Significant interactions were found between economic stress and government assistance and economic stress and stress management, indicating complex resilience pathways. Implications of study findings for research and intervention are discussed.

Siblings reared apart: A sibling comparison study on rearing environment differences.

A plethora of studies with parents and children who are biologically related has shown that the family environment plays an important role in child development. However, scientists have long known that a rigorous examination of environmental effects requires research designs that go beyond studies of genetically linked family members. Harnessing the principles of sibling comparison and animal cross-fostering designs, we introduce a novel approach: the siblings-reared-apart design. Supplementing the traditional adoption design of adopted child and adoptive parents with a sample of the adopted children's birth parents who raised their biological child(ren) at home (i.e., biological siblings of adoptees), this design provides opportunities to evaluate the role of specific rearing environments. In this proof of concept approach, we tested whether rearing environments differed between adoptive and birth families. Using data from 118 sets of adoption-linked families, each consisting of an adoptive family and the adoptee's birth family, both of whom are raising at least a child in each home, we found that compared with families in the birth homes, (a) adoptive families had higher household incomes and maternal educational attainment; (b) adoptive mothers displayed more guiding parenting, less harsh parenting, and less maternal depression; and (c) socioeconomic differences between the two homes did not account for the behavioral differences in mothers. We discuss the potential of the sibling-reared-apart design to advance developmental science. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Adapting the Family Management Styles Framework to Include Children.

EMPIRICAL STUDY PURPOSE: Propose an adapted Family Management Style Framework that includes the perspectives of children with chronic health conditions. DESIGN AND METHODS: Building on the current Family Management Style Framework, the authors used recent empirical studies with children to further develop the framework. Definitions of each dimension and component of the framework were reviewed and revised to reflect the perspectives of the child, based on the child data and prior work. RESULTS: The Family Management Style Framework was adapted to reflect children's perspectives of themselves and their family. Based upon our understanding of the components of the framework, we expanded the components and revised the definitions of the dimensions to reflect the child perspectives. CONCLUSIONS: Incorporating the perspectives of children allows us to consider the transactions that occur during condition management between parents, children and families. Additional research is needed to explore this interaction and the implications it has on the outcomes. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Children experience the way their family manages their chronic health condition and incorporate those experiences as part of their developing understanding of themselves and their condition. Practitioners should encourage children to express their understanding of their condition and its management to model and encourage them to dialogue about management with their families.

Family education and support for families at psychosocial risk in Europe: Evidence from a survey of international experts.

There is overwhelming consensus among policy makers, academics, and professionals about the need to support families in their childrearing tasks. Consequently, European countries have been encouraged to develop family support interventions aimed at guaranteeing children's rights, targeting particularly those children in situations of psychosocial risk. While a certain amount of evidence exists regarding how family support is generally delivered in certain European countries, with a particular focus on parenting initiatives, this paper aims to take existing evidence one step further by providing an updated review focusing on two core components of the Council of Europe's Recommendation on Positive Parenting: families at psychosocial risk as the target population, and family education and support initiatives as the delivery format. The scope of the study was therefore broad, in both geographical and conceptual terms. An online survey was conducted with experts from 19 European countries to gather information regarding how they perceive family education and support initiatives for families at psychosocial risk. Both quantitative and qualitative data were analysed by computing frequencies/percentages and by following a thematic synthesis method, respectively. The results revealed both similarities and disparities as regards provider profiles, intervention characteristics, and quality standards. Practical implications are discussed, such as the need to diversify initiatives for at-risk families in accordance with the tenets of progressive universalism, the ongoing need for an evidence-based, pluralistic approach to programmes, and the skills and qualifications required in the family support workforce. This study constitutes a first step towards building a common family support framework at a European level, which would encompass family support and parenting policies aimed at families at psychosocial risk.

Práticas parentais: conjugalidade, depressão materna, comportamento das crianças e variáveis demográficas / Parental practices: conjugality, maternal depression, children´s behavior and demographic variables / Prácticas parentales: conjugalidad, depresión materna, comportamiento de los niños y variables demográficas

As interfaces das práticas educativas maternas e problemas de comportamento são reconhecidas, contudo, carecem de estudos que abordem variáveis contextuais e pessoais específicas que podem interferir no uso de práticas positivas e negativas. Objetiva-se comparar as práticas parentais relatadas pelas mães de crianças pré-escolares e escolares considerando variáveis: demográficas, práticas educativas, relacionamento conjugal, depressão materna, problemas de comportamento e habilidades sociais. Foram participantes 151 mães biológicas e suas crianças. Estas informaram sobre práticas parentais, comportamentos dos filhos, depressão materna e variáveis demográficas. Com significância estatística identificou-se que: as habilidades sociais infantis, problemas de comportamento, relacionamento conjugal, escolaridade e renda familiar diferenciaram os grupos no que refere ao uso de práticas educativas; práticas positivas foram associadas às habilidades sociais infantis, e as negativas, aos problemas de comportamento; o uso das práticas positivas foi influenciado, para os escolares, pela depressão, renda familiar e escolaridade materna e, para os pré-escolares, pela escolaridade materna. (AU)

Interfaces between maternal educational practices and behavior problems are recognized. However, there are few studies that approach context variables and specific people that can interfere using both positive and negative practices. The objective of this study was to compare parental practices reported by mothers of pre-school and elementary school children, considering variables such as demographic data, educational practices, marital relationship, maternal depression, behavior problems and social skills. Participants included a total of 151 biological mothers and their children, who reported on parental practices, children behavior, maternal depression and demographic variables. With statistical significance, it was identified that: children's social skills, behavior problems, marital relationship, education level and familiar income distinguished the groups in relation to the use of educational practices; positive practices were associated to children's social skills, whereas negative practices were linked to behavior problems; For elementary school children, the use of positive practices was influenced by depression, familiar income and maternal schooling, and for pre-school children, maternal schooling was the influencing factor. (AU)

Las interfaces de las prácticas educativas maternas y los problemas de comportamiento, son reconocidos, sin embargo, carecen de estudios que aborden variables contextuales y personales específicas que puedan interferir en el uso de prácticas positivas y negativas. Se pretende comparar las prácticas parentales relatadas por las madres de niños preescolares y escolares considerando las siguientes variables: demográficas, prácticas educativas, relaciones conyugales, depresión materna, problemas de comportamiento y habilidades sociales. Participaron 151 madres biológicas y los hijos. Estas informaron sobre prácticas parentales, comportamientos de sus hijos, depresión materna y variables demográficas. Con alto significado estadístico se identificó que: las habilidades sociales infantiles, problemas de comportamiento, relacionamiento conyugal, escolaridad y renta familiar diferenciaron a los grupos en lo que se refiere al uso de prácticas educativas; las prácticas positivas se asociaron a las habilidades sociales infantiles y las negativas, a los problemas de comportamiento; el uso de las prácticas positivas fue influenciado en los escolares, por la depresión, renta familiar y escolaridad materna; y en los preescolares, por la escolaridad materna. (AU)

Associations between maternal concern about child's weight and related behaviours and maternal weight-related parenting practices: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Parents influence their children's weight-related behaviours through their parenting practices, which are often a focal point of obesity prevention interventions. This study examined associations of maternal concern about their child's weight, dietary intake, physical activity, and media use with maternal food, physical activity, and media parenting practices. METHODS: Mothers (n = 310) reported their level of concern regarding their child's weight and related behaviours and their weight-related parenting practices when their child was 5 years of age as part of the Melbourne Infant Feeding Activity and Nutrition Trial (InFANT) Program. We used linear regression analyses with estimation by generalized estimating equations to examine associations of maternal concern and maternal parenting practices. RESULTS: Slightly more than 60% of mothers reported at least one concern related to their children's weight or related behaviours. Excessive media use was the most commonly endorsed concern among mothers (45.2%). Compared to mothers who were unconcerned about their child's weight, mothers who were concerned about their child weighing too much reported higher levels of controlling feeding practices, i.e., restrictive feeding, lower levels of co-participation of physical activity, and higher levels of using media to control child behaviour. Mothers who were concerned their child weighed too little reported higher levels of controlling feeding practices, i.e., restrictive feeding, pressure to eat. Similarly, mothers who were concerned about their child's eating (eating too much or too little) reported higher levels of controlling feeding practices. Mothers who were concerned about their child using too much media reported higher levels of using media to regulate their child's behaviour and providing opportunities for their child to use media. CONCLUSION: Mothers who were concerned about their child's weight, dietary intake, physical activity and media use reported higher levels of controlling parenting practices, i.e., pressure to eat, and lower levels of health promoting parenting practices, i.e., co-participation in physical activity. Longitudinal research is needed to elucidate temporal order and specific mechanisms of these associations.

The Influence of Race and Income on Community Mothers' Acceptance of Child Management Methods.

The consideration of diverse family factors on parents' acceptance of behavioral parent training (BPT) components aids in the development and delivery of culturally sensitive parenting programs. Perceptions of acceptability are particularly important to investigate among low-income and racial-minority families, as they are less likely to engage in nonadapted BPT programs. Therefore, the current study examines the synergistic effects of race and income on mothers' acceptance of five common child management methods relevant to BPT. The relationship between mothers' acceptability ratings and self-reported parenting practices was also explored. Participants were 106 White and Black mothers from different income levels who completed measures related to the acceptability of response cost, positive reinforcement, time-out, spanking, and medication. The results indicated that mothers from varying backgrounds differed in their acceptance of child management methods, particularly with regard to corporal punishment. Additionally, a relationship was found between parents' acceptability ratings and their self-reported parenting behavior. The findings support the consideration of parents' perceptions of child discipline methods when recommending and delivering BPT programs to diverse parents.

Single Mothers' Experiences with Pregnancy and Child Rearing in Korea: Discrepancy between Social Services/Policies and Single Mothers' Needs.

This study aims to explore single mothers’ experiences with social services/policies for their independent living and to identify gaps between these experiences and the needs of single mothers. A focus group discussion was performed to collect data. Seven single mothers discussed their experiences in significant periods of their lives: pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. Findings from the qualitative thematic analysis show discrepancies between the direction of social services/policies and single mothers’ needs, in terms of difficulties in healthcare, childcare, housing, employment, and income security. To the single mothers in this study, the social safety net is not inclusive, compared to that which is available to two-parent families or adoptive families. It is necessary to intervene in current blind spots of services/policies for single mothers, and to provide a social safety net to strengthen single mothers’ self-reliance and their children’s social security in the long term.

Do Dads Make a Difference? Family Feeding Dynamics and Child Fussy Eating.

OBJECTIVE: Few studies on child feeding have focused on family dynamics or disadvantaged families, yet feeding occurs in the complex social, economic, and relational context of the family. We examined how the level (high vs low) and concordance (concordant vs discordant) of nonresponsive feeding practices of mothers and fathers are associated with child fussy eating, in a socioeconomically disadvantaged Australian sample. METHODS: Mother-father pairs (N = 208) of children aged 2 to 5 years old independently completed validated questionnaires reporting their "persuasive feeding," "reward for eating," "reward for behavior," and child's "food fussiness." The fussiness scores did not differ between mother-father pairs and were averaged to derive a single dependent variable. K-means cluster analyses were used to assign mother-father pairs to clusters for each feeding practice, based on mean scores. Three ANCOVAs, corresponding to each feeding practice, tested differences in child fussiness across clusters while controlling for covariates. RESULTS: Four clusters were identified for each feeding practice-concordant: (1) high (MHi/FHi) for both parents and (2) low (MLo/FLo) for both parents; and discordant: (3) high for mother but low for father (MHi/FLo); and (4) low for mother but high for father (MLo/FHi). For "persuasive feeding," MLo/FLo reported lower levels of fussiness compared with MHi/FLo, MHi/FHi, and MLo/FHi (p values < 0.05). For "reward for eating," MLo/FLo reported lower levels of fussiness than did MHi/FHi (p < 0.05). Child fussiness did not differ across "reward for behavior" clusters. CONCLUSION: In socioeconomically disadvantaged families, when parents are concordant in avoiding nonresponsive feeding practices, less child "food fussiness" is reported. Findings suggest that feeding interventions should consider inclusion of both parents in 2-parent households.

Parental Self-Assessment of Behavioral Effectiveness in Young Children and Views on Corporal Punishment in an Academic Pediatric Practice.

This article assesses parental confidence and current behavioral techniques used by mostly African American caregivers of young children in an urban Southeastern setting, including their use and attitudes toward corporal punishment (CP). Two hundred and fifty parental participants of children aged 18 months to 5 years completed a survey on factors affecting their behavioral management and views on CP. Statistical analysis included χ2 test and logistic regression with confidence interval significance determined at P <.05. Significant associations of CP usage were found in parents who were themselves exposed to CP and parental level of frustration with child disobedience. A total of 40.2% of respondents answered that they had not received any discipline strategies from pediatricians and 47.6% were interested in receiving more behavioral strategies. Clear opportunities exist for pediatricians to provide information on evidence-based disciplinary techniques, and these discussions may be facilitated through the creation of a No Hit Zone program in the pediatric practice.