Preliminary Validation of the Parental Help-Seeking Stage of Change Measure for Child Behavior Problems

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Preliminary Validation of the Parental Help-Seeking Stage of Change Measure for Child Behavior Problems
Language: English
Authors: Johnston, Oliver G. (ORCID 0000-0002-2798-181X), Derella, Olivia J., Gold, Melanie A., Burke, Jeffrey D.
Source: Child & Youth Care Forum. Apr 2020 49(2):223-246.
Availability: Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-348-4505; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 24
Publication Date: 2020
Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Mental Health (DHHS/NIH)
Contract Number: MH074148
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Measures (Individuals), Parent Participation, Help Seeking, Child Behavior, Behavior Problems, Access to Health Care, Mental Health Programs, Juvenile Justice, Psychopathology, African Americans, Males, Readiness, Parent Attitudes, Construct Validity, Scores, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Predictor Variables
DOI: 10.1007/s10566-019-09525-5
ISSN: 1053-1890
Abstract: Background: Most families of children with behavior problems do access treatment. Objective: The purpose of this study was to test a parental measure of readiness to seek help for their child's behavior problems. Method: Data was collected annually from 148 parents at their child's first contact with either mental health services or juvenile justice court or services. Psychopathology, service use, and factors related to service use were assessed. The majority of the sample was male (64%) and Black/African American (63%) with a mean age of 11.93 years (SD = 2.75). We administered a measure specifically developed for this study to assess stages of change in parents' readiness to seek help for their child's behavior problems. We used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to evaluate the stages of change and regression modeling to assess construct and criterion validity of the resulting readiness score. Results: CFA of the revised subscales showed acceptable fit. Readiness scores were associated with current and future use of specialty mental health services. Higher readiness scores were associated with parents perceiving their child's behavior as worse compared to peers, more child attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, and greater parental burden. Higher readiness scores were not associated with total family resources, symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder. Conclusion: Scores from this measure were associated with factors that predict service engagement, and predict current and future mental health service utilization. These results indicate construct and criterion validity of measuring parental help-seeking for child behavior problems within a stages of change framework.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2020
Accession Number: EJ1247602
Database: ERIC
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Abstract:Background: Most families of children with behavior problems do access treatment. Objective: The purpose of this study was to test a parental measure of readiness to seek help for their child's behavior problems. Method: Data was collected annually from 148 parents at their child's first contact with either mental health services or juvenile justice court or services. Psychopathology, service use, and factors related to service use were assessed. The majority of the sample was male (64%) and Black/African American (63%) with a mean age of 11.93 years (SD = 2.75). We administered a measure specifically developed for this study to assess stages of change in parents' readiness to seek help for their child's behavior problems. We used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to evaluate the stages of change and regression modeling to assess construct and criterion validity of the resulting readiness score. Results: CFA of the revised subscales showed acceptable fit. Readiness scores were associated with current and future use of specialty mental health services. Higher readiness scores were associated with parents perceiving their child's behavior as worse compared to peers, more child attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, and greater parental burden. Higher readiness scores were not associated with total family resources, symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder. Conclusion: Scores from this measure were associated with factors that predict service engagement, and predict current and future mental health service utilization. These results indicate construct and criterion validity of measuring parental help-seeking for child behavior problems within a stages of change framework.
ISSN:1053-1890
DOI:10.1007/s10566-019-09525-5