Among 11-28% of children (0-6 years) in the Netherlands experience psychosocial problems, such as aggressive behavior and anxiety symptoms. These behavioral problems in childhood are a predictor...Show moreAmong 11-28% of children (0-6 years) in the Netherlands experience psychosocial problems, such as aggressive behavior and anxiety symptoms. These behavioral problems in childhood are a predictor for several problems in later adolescence and adulthood. Studies that examine the underlying mechanisms that play a role in the development of problem behavior can contribute to the development of adequate and effective (preventive) interventions, so that early intervention can be applied. The current study examined the role of physical discipline, ethnicity and attachment in the development of problem behavior in children aged 0-7 years in family residential clinics. The sample consisted of 50 parent-child dyads (Mage children = 3,28 years) recruited in four Dutch family residential clinics. The families had been referred to these clinics for an evaluation of their parenting capacities in the context of a decision regarding out-of-home placement or reunification with their child(ren). The pre-test consisted of a two-hour appointment in a lab setting at the clinic. During this appointment a number of questionnaires and tasks were administered to parent and child. In addition, the family’s therapist filled out a short questionnaire about the family. Physical discipline was observed during a “don’t touch” and “clean up” task and then scored on a 5-point Likert-scale. The preschool Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was used to assess child’s behavioral problems. Child’s attachment was measured using the Infant Coding System (ICS) and the MacArthur Preschool Attachment Classification System (PACS). The results showed that physical discipline is not related to child’s problem behavior and that ethnicity does not moderate this association. In addition, the results showed that child’s attachment does not play a mediating role in the association between physical discipline and child’s problem behavior. Future research will benefit from the use of multi-informant measures and should include more ethnicities.Show less
In this study, the Emotional Security Theory [EST] by Davies & Cummings (1994) was tested over time in a sample of Dutch high-risk families with a known history of violence in the family. Multi...Show moreIn this study, the Emotional Security Theory [EST] by Davies & Cummings (1994) was tested over time in a sample of Dutch high-risk families with a known history of violence in the family. Multi-informant data was gathered by selecting parent-child dyads (N = 157; 82% mothers, 51% boys; mean age children 12.61(SD = 2.62). On two separate occasions, two years apart, questionnaires were administered to the families by trained research assistants; parents reported on type (physical, psychological) and amount of interparental conflict in the family with the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale [CTS2] on T0. Children reported on their sense of emotional insecurity within the family with the Security in the Interparental System [SIS] on T0 as well as T2 and their level of experienced trauma symptoms with the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children [TSCC] on T2. Relationships between all variables were tested and, in line with the central hypothesis of the EST, mediating effects of children’s sense of emotional insecurity were analyzed on T0 and T2. Interparental conflict was shown to be positively associated with trauma symptoms in children. Interparental conflict was only positively related to emotional insecurity in children when both were measured at the same time (T0), there was no relationship with child-reported emotional insecurity two years later. For both T0 and T2, emotional insecurity was positively associated with trauma symptoms at T2. However, no mediating effects were found and so it must be concluded that this research makes no confirming contribution to the evidence base of the EST. Further analyses of emotional security indicates stability and continuity over time. Treatment in between measurements and general quality of parenting are discussed as possible explanations for the results. The study concludes with its limitations and recommendations.Show less
An out-of-home placement is the most severe measure of child protection and has a great impact on children as well as parents. The decision-making process about whether to place a child out of home...Show moreAn out-of-home placement is the most severe measure of child protection and has a great impact on children as well as parents. The decision-making process about whether to place a child out of home has been discussed for many years, mainly due to diversity in research results. Despite the considerable research on complex factors, the relevance of these specific risk factors seems to differ between professionals and therefore it remains unknown on which criteria youth care professionals base their decision. This study aims to determine the relation between child-, parent- and family risk factors and out-of-home placement decisions. To test the hypothesis that child-, parent- and family risk factors are related to out-of-home placements, 74 Master students (38 Master students in Education and Child studies, and 36 Master students in Child Law) were presented with vignettes reflecting child protection cases. In addition to these case descriptions, Master students in Child Law received additional information (a recommendation for an out-of-home placement or not) about the case from the Child Protection Board (CPB). The participants were asked to read the four vignettes individually and indicate whether they would consider an out-of-home placement. The Master students in Child Law were asked to assess each vignette twice: once before the advice from the CPB and once after the advice. General decision-maker factors (difference in education), case factors (child-, parent and family) and additional information from the CPB were not related to their decisions. Despite the fact that no significant results were found, the study does provide knowledge about the importance of education and the advice from the CPB. It still remains important to provide insight into the factors influencing decision-making to reduce the subjectivity in these decisions and provide starting points for a more unambiguous approach in the decision-making process.Show less
