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Mealtime Observations and Parent-Report: Correspondence Across Measurement and Implications for Intervention

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 July 2015

Alina Morawska ,
Michelle Adamson  and
Joanne Ferriol Especkerman
Alina Morawska*
Affiliation:
Parenting and Family Support Centre, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Michelle Adamson
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Counselling and Community, University of Southern Queensland, Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia
Joanne Ferriol Especkerman
Affiliation:
Parenting and Family Support Centre, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
*
Address for correspondence: Alina Morawska, Parenting and Family Support Centre, School of Psychology, University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD 4072, Australia. Email: alina@psy.uq.edu.au
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Abstract

This study explored the relationship between self-reported and observed mealtime behaviour and examined concurrent predictors of observed child and parent mealtime behaviour. The sample consisted of 67 parents of 1.5- to 6-year-old children experiencing difficulties with their child's mealtime, and 33 parents who were not concerned with their child's mealtime behaviour. Parent-reported and observed mealtime data, and parent-reported mealtime cognitions were collected. Regression analyses indicated that consistent with hypotheses, observed and parent-reported mealtime behaviour were related. Observed child behaviour was predicted by self-reported parenting behaviour and observed positive parent behaviour, as well as parental cognitions. Observed parent behaviour was predicted only by self-reported parenting mealtime behaviour.

Keywords

parent behaviourmealtime observationsparent reportchild feeding
Type
Standard Papers
Information
Behaviour Change , Volume 32 , Issue 3 , September 2015 , pp. 175 - 189
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2015 

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