Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-hc48f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T17:36:08.413Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Using a Behavioural Family Intervention to Produce a Three-Generational Benefit on Family Outcomes: A Case Report

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 November 2013

James N. Kirby  and
Matthew R. Sanders
James N. Kirby*
Affiliation:
Parenting and Family Support Centre, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Matthew R. Sanders
Affiliation:
Parenting and Family Support Centre, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
*
Address for correspondence: James N. Kirby, Parenting and Family Support Centre, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, 4072. E-mail: j.kirby@psy.uq.edu.au
Get access

Abstract

Background: Grandparents have a significant role in providing regular child care to their grandchildren. As such, they are in a unique position to help with the prevention of child disruptive disorders. However, the child-care role grandparents provide can also negatively impact the grandparent-parent relationship. Aims: This case study examined the impact of a parenting program designed specifically for grandparents on a grandparent providing regular child care to her granddaughter. Method: A case study is presented of a 56-year-old grandmother providing between 31–40 hours of care per week to her granddaughter, who is at risk of developing an early onset child disruptive disorder. The grandparent was measured on outcomes of child behaviour; parenting style; parenting confidence; psychological wellbeing in terms of stress, depression, and anxiety; and relationship satisfaction with the parent. The parent was also measured on child behaviour outcomes and relationship satisfaction with the grandparent. Measures were given at baseline, post-intervention, and at 6-month follow-up. Results: The grandparent reported significant reductions in stress, anxiety and depression; improved relationship satisfaction with the parent; and decreased reliance on dysfunctional parenting practices. The parent also reported decreased child behaviour problems and increased relationship satisfaction with the grandparent. No findings were found for parenting confidence. Conclusion: This case study provides encouraging findings for a new parenting program designed specifically for grandparents, and it is recommended that future research evaluate its efficacy in a randomised controlled trial.

Keywords

Grandparentparentbehavioural family interventionTriple P
Type
Standard Papers
Information
Behaviour Change , Volume 30 , Issue 4 , December 2013 , pp. 249 - 261
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Australian Academic Press Pty Ltd 2013 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Arnold, D.S., O'Leary, S.G., Wolff, L.S., & Acker, M.M. (1993). The Parenting Scale: A measure of dysfunctional parenting in discipline situations. Psychological Assessment, 5 (2), 137–144. doi:10.1037/1040-3590.5.2.137Google Scholar
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). (2012). Childhood education and care, Australia, June 2011 (Catalogue No. 4402.0). Canberra, Australia: Australian Bureau of Statistics.Google Scholar
Biglan, A., Flay, B.R., Embry, D.D., & Sandler, I.N. (2012). The critical role of nurturing environments for promoting human well-being. American Psychologist, 67, 257–271. doi:10.1037/a0026796.Google Scholar
Dorsey, S., Forehand, R., & Brody, G. (2007). Coparenting conflict and parenting behavior in economically disadvantaged single parent African American families: The role of maternal psychological distress. Journal of Family Violence, 22, 621–630. doi:10.1007/s10896-007-9114-y.Google Scholar
Eyberg, S., & Pincus, D. (1999). Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory and Sutter-Eyberg Student Behavior Inventory — Revised: Professional Manual. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.Google Scholar
Feinberg, M.E. (2003). The internal structure and ecological context of coparenting: A framework for research and intervention. Parenting: Science and Practice, 3, 95–131. doi:10.1207/S15327922PAR0302_01Google Scholar
Goodfellow, J., & Laverty, J. (2003). Grandparents supporting working families: Satisfaction and choice in the provision of child care. Family Matters, 66, 14–19.Google Scholar
Halford, K., Osgarby, S., & Bouma, R. (2000). The Brief Kategoriensystem Fur Partnerschaftliche Interaktion (Brief KPI) Coding Manual (Unpublished manuscript).Google Scholar
Halford, K.W., Markman, H.J., & Stanley, S. (2008). Strengthening couples’ relationships with education: Social policy and public health perspectives. Journal of Family Psychology, 22, 497–505. doi:10.1037/a0012789.Google Scholar
Jacobson, N.S., & Truax, P. (1991). Clinical significance: A statistical approach to defining meaningful change in psychotherapy research. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 59, 12–19. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.60.3.402Google Scholar
Kirby, J.N., & Sanders, M.R. (2012a). Every grandparent's group workbook. Brisbane, Australia: Triple P International Pty Ltd.Google Scholar
Kirby, J.N., & Sanders, M.R. (2012c). Using consumer input to tailor evidence-based parenting interventions to the needs of grandparents. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 21, 626–636. doi:10.1007/s10826-011-9514-8Google Scholar
Kirby, J.N., & Sanders, M.R. (in press). A randomized controlled trial evaluating a parenting program for grandparents. Behaviour Research and Therapy.Google Scholar
Lovibond, S.H., & Lovibond, P.F. (1995a). Manual for the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (2nd ed.). Sydney, Australia: Psychological Foundation of Australia.Google Scholar
Lovibond, P.F., & Lovibond, S.H. (1995b). The structure of negative emotional states: Comparison of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) with the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 33, 335–343.Google Scholar
Low, S.M., & Stocker, C. (2005). Family functioning and children's adjustment: Associations among parents’ depressed mood, marital hostility, parent-child hostility, and children's adjustment. Journal of Family Psychology, 19, 394–403. doi:10.1037/0893-3200.19.3.394Google Scholar
Pierce, G.R. (1991). Quality of Relationships Inventory: Assessing the interpersonal context of social support. In Burleson, B.R.,, Albrecht, T.L.,, & Sarason, I.G., (Eds.), Communication of Social Support (pp. 247–266). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.Google Scholar
Pierce, G.R., Sarason, I.G., Sarason, B.R., Solky-Butzel, J.A., & Nagle, L.C. (1997). Assessing the quality of personal relationships. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 14, 339–356.Google Scholar
Ralph, A., & Sanders, M.R. (2002). Teen Triple P group workbook. Brisbane, Australia: Triple P International.Google Scholar
Ralph, A., & Sanders, M.R. (2004). The ‘Teen Triple P’ Positive Parenting Program: A preliminary evaluation. Trends & Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice, 282, 1–6.Google Scholar
Rosenthal, D., & Moore, S. (2012). New age nanas: Being a grandmother in the 21st century. Newport, Australia: Big Sky Publishing.Google Scholar
Sanders, M.R. (2012). Development, evaluation, and multinational dissemination of the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 8, 1–35. doi:10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032511-143104Google Scholar
Sanders, M.R., & Woolley, M.L. (2005). The relationship between maternal self-efficacy and parenting practices: Implications for parent training. Child: Care, Health and Development, 31, 65–73.Google Scholar
Stallman, H.M., & Sanders, M.R. (2007). Family Transitions Triple P: The theoretical basis and development of a program for parents going through divorce. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 47 (3–4), 133–153.Google Scholar
Thomas, J.L. (1990). The grandparent role: A double bind. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 31, 169–177.Google Scholar
Wiggins, T.L., Sofronoff, K., & Sanders, M.R. (2009). Pathways Triple P-Positive Parenting Program: Effects on parent-child relationships and child behavior problems. Family Process, 48, 517–530.Google Scholar
Whittingham, K., Sofronoff, K., Sheffield, J., & Sanders, M.R. (2009). Stepping Stones Triple P: An RCT of a parenting program with parents of a child diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 37, 469–80. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2009.01.009Google Scholar