What Factors Are Associated With Mother's Evaluations of Their Clinic-Referred Children?

Abstract

The present study examined the relation of child behavior, spouse behavior, and personal daily activities to a mother's daily satisfaction with her clinic-referred child. The relative effects of positive and negative behaviors/events in each area (child, spouse, personal) also were examined. Finally, a single subject methodology was employed as it was hypoethesized that different mothers would be differentially affected by the three areas. Nine mothers and their young clinic-referred children served as subjects. A daily satisfaction measure and individualized daily questionnaires assessing positive and negative child, spouse, and personal behaviors/events were developed and completed for 30 days by mothers. The results indicated that negative child behavior was the best predictor of maternal satisfaction while negative daily activities was the second best predictor. Negative behaviors/events were related to satisfaction more so than positive behaviors/events. Finally, different mothers' satisfaction was differentially related to the child, spouse, and personal areas. The results are discussed in terms of the prior literature, possible theoretical interpretations, and clinical implications.