Assessment of parenting skills of parents having children with psychiatric disorders attending psychiatry unit

Renu Sharma, Sunita Sharma, Akhilesh Sharma

doi:10.18231/j.ijmpo.2021.016

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DOI 10.18231/j.ijmpo.2021.016
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Assessment of parenting skills of parents having children with psychiatric disorders attending psychiatry unit

Author Details:

Renu Sharma ^*

Sunita Sharma

Akhilesh Sharma

IP International Journal of Medical Paediatrics and Oncology. 7(2):79-84, 2021. | 10.18231/j.ijmpo.2021.016

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Abstract

Parenting is defined as a process of promotion of the physical, social, emotional, financial and intellectual development of a child till adulthood. But parenting a child with mental health issues can be difficult and stressful for parents. So, therefore this study was conducted to know about the parenting skills of parents having children with psychiatric disorders. A descriptive study was conducted in psychiatry unit of PGIMER, Chandigarh for which 40 parents were selected who were having children with psychiatric illness and attending psychiatry unit. The obtained data was statistically analyzed by SPSS-20 version. Main findings showed that 50% of the subjects exhibits good parenting skills, 47.5% have average parenting skills and only 2.5% of subjects have negligent parenting. The study concluded that parent- child gap is evident in parents who take care of their child.

Introduction

A mental illness is an old age problem of mankind. It is recorded in almost all of the oldest civilizations of the world. The people’s view towards mental illness has always been negative, stigmatized, and fearful till date and it differs from community to community.^[1]

Parenting refers to the aspects of raising the child aside from the biological relationships.^[2] The most common caretaker in parenting the child is the biological parents of child, but others may be an older siblings, grandparents or a legal guardian, or other family members or a family friend.^[3] Social class, wealth, culture and income have a very strong impact on what methods or skills of child rearing are used by the parents. Parenting skills refers to handling and dealing of parents with their children having childhood psychiatric disorders in daily activities like feeding, grooming, teaching and communicating. The effective parenting should be firm, fair and friendly. These constitute 3”F’s of effective parenting. The emotional climate in the home reveals the parenting style. Parents guide their children from infancy till adulthood and their styles of care-giving have long lasting effects on child functioning in every domain of life.^[4] There are mainly four types of parenting styles: Authoritative, authoritarian, permissive and uninvolved parenting style. ^[5]

Materials and Methods

Descriptive study design was adopted for the study. The study was conducted in psychiatry OPD and Ward of PGIMER, Chandigarh. Most of parents (subjects) were residents of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Chandigarh. The socioeconomic status of residents ranges from lower to upper class population chosen for the study were parents having children with psychiatry disorders having age from 3- 15yrs. Tool used for study was structured questionnaire. Parenting skill assessment was done by interview schedule. The tool is developed and validated by the experts in the field of research. The tool included Socio-demographic profile of parents, Socio- demographic profile of child, Self developed questionaire on parenting skill assessment.The permission was taken from Institute Ethical Committee and Head of the Department of Psychiatry, PGIMER, Chandigarh. Written informed consent was taken from all the participants after explaining the purpose and need of the study.

S. No.	Variables	Frequency (%age)
1.	Age (in yrs.)
	18-23	Mean±S.D. :35.28 ± 2.39Range :27-46	-
	24-28	3(7.5)
	29-33	8(20)
	>34	29(72.5)
2.	Habitat
	Rural	18(45)
Urban	20(50)
Semi –urban	2(5)
3.	Marital status
	Married	36(90)
Unmarried	-
Divorced	1(2.5)
Separated	-
Widow	3(7.5)
4.	Education
	Illiterate	4(10)
Primary	6(15)
Secondary	5(12.5)
Senior secondary	16(40)
Graduate	3(7.5)
Post- graduate	6(15)
5.	Occupation
	Govt job	3(7.5)
Private job	5(12.5)
Skilled	2(5)
Unskilled	30(75)
4.	Religion
	Hindu	31(77.5)
Christian	1(2.5)
Sikh	8(20)
Muslim	-
Any other	-
5.	Type of family
	Nuclear	25(62.5)
Joint	14(35)
Extended	1(2.5)
6.	Family members
	1-4	Mean±S.D. :5.58 ± 1.89 Range :3-10	19(47.5)
	5-8	16(40)
>8	5(12.5)
7.	Family income(per month)(in rupees)
	<10,000	Mean ± S.D. : 21,725±9,367.121Range: 8000-50000	7(17.5)
10,000-20,000	18(45)
>20,000	15(37.5)
8.	No. of children	Mean ± S.D. : 2.10±0.545Range: 1-4
	1	4(10)
2	28(70)
>2	8(20)
9.	Any psychiatric illness
	Yes	8(20)
No	32(80)
10.	Drug abuse
	Yes	8(20)
No	32(80)

Table 1 Socio-demographic profile of parents (N=40)

S. No.	Variables	Frequency (%age)
1.	Age (in yrs)
	3-5	Mean± S.D. : 11.00±3.508Range : 3-15	4(10)
6-8	5(12.5)
9-11	8(20)
12-15	23(57.5)
2.	Sex
	Male	24(60)
Female	16(40)
3.	Siblings
	Only child		5(12.5)
1	Mean ± S.D. :1.8±0.675Range : 0-3	24(60)
2	10(25)
>2	1(2.5)
4.	Mode of delivery
	NVD	29(72.5)
C-section	11(27.5)
Assisted vaginal delivery	-
5.	Birth weight
	<2 kg	5(12.5)
2-2.5 kg	23(57.5)
>2.5 kg	12(30)
6.	Primary caregiver
	Parents	37(92.5)
Grandparents	3(7.5)
Guardian	-
7.	Family history of psychiatric illness
	Yes	8(20)
No	32(80)

Table 2 Socio-demographic profile of child (N=40)

S.No.	Communication	Never	Sometimes	Always
1.	Child communicate with appropriate speed of words	7(17.5)	17(42.5)	16(40)
2.	Parents use warm tone while communicating with child	-	28(70)	12(30)
3.	Parents become unresponsive to child’s attempt to communicate	9(22.5)	26(65)	5(12.5)
4.	Parents punish child on using unsociable words	12(30)	11(27.5)	17(42.5)
5.	Child easily shares his/ her feelings with parents	7(17.5)	10(25)	23(57.5)
6.	Parents give enough time to child to facilitate his reading/ literacy activities	6(15)	8(20)	26(65)
7.	Parents make attempts to correct child’s language	3(7.5)	6(15)	31(77.5)
8.	Child make eye- contact during conversation	7(17.5)	13(32.5)	20(50)
9.	Parents recognise child’s need for repetition	5(12.5)	14(35)	21(52.5)
10.	Parents always show child that they are listening carefully what he /she is saying	1(2.5)	12(30)	27(67.5)

Table 3 Communication.((N=40)

S.No.	Enriched environment	Never	Sometimes	Always
1.	Keep safety items such as first aid kit in home	18(45)	4(10)	18(45)
2.	Parents provide materials required according to child’s interest ensuring child’s safety	2(5)	17(42.5)	21(52.5)
3.	Parents take child to social events(family gatherings)	5(12.5)	8(20)	27(67.5)
4.	Child is comfortable with the routine and rituals and can be practiced throughout the day	6(15)	15(37.5)	19(47.5)
5.	Parents make sure that dangerous items in their house are out of reach to their child	3(7.5)	4(10)	33(82.5)

Table 4 Enriched environment. (N=40)

S.No.	Nurturing	Never	Sometimes	Always
1.	Parents understand and respond to child verbal and non-verbal signals	-	12(30)	28(70)
2.	Routinely eats meals together	3(7.5)	11(27.5)	26(65)
3.	Parents praise about their child in front of visitors	2(15)	15(37.5)	23(57.5)
4.	Child’s language/activities/demands/requests are appropriate to his/her age and development	8(20)	8(20)	24(60)
5.	Parents try to lead by positive examples so that child can imitate their good example	1(2.5)	20(50)	19(47.5)
6.	Parents make rules for child which are appropriate to their abilities and maturity level	20(50)	16(40)	4(10)
7.	Parents set aside time to spend it with their child	6(15)	12(30)	22(55)
8.	Parents punish their child for the purpose of teaching	12(30)	16(40)	12(30)
9.	Parents always help child to cope with stress	3(7.5)	8(20)	29(72.5)

Table 5 Nurturing. (N=40)

S.No.	Child management and supervision	Never	Sometimes	Always
1	Parents left their child unsupervised	21(52.5)	12(30)	7(17.5)
2	Monitor time and quality of TV watching by child	7(17.5)	13(32.5)	20(50)
3	Parents allow child for experimentation /exploration	14(35)	14(35)	12(30)
4	Parents pay close attention to select quality caregiver	4(10)	8(20)	28(70)
5	Parents are prepared for emergencies and possible hard times	3(7.5)	10(25)	27(67.5)
6	Parents are always available when child need someone to talk to	-	16(40)	24(60)
7	Parents regularly attend child school meetings	9(22.5)	8(20)	23(57.5)
8	Parents always treat child with respect	-	13(32.5)	27(67.5)
9	Parents occasionally take time away from child to recharge themselves	10(25)	21(52.5)	9(22.5)
10	Parents ask about child’s opinion	21(52.5)	9(22.5)	10(25)
11	Parents take their child for medical checkups on regualr basis	1(2.5)	5(12.5)	34(85)

Table 6 Child management and supervision. (N=40)

S. No.	Parent-child activities (play)	Never	Sometimes	Always
1.	Parents engage themselves with child in some play activities	15(37.5)	11(27.5)	14(35)
2.	Parents use oppurtunity to teach child using play	17(42.5)	15(37.5)	8(20)
3.	Child exposed to varied activities	15(37.5)	11(27.5)	14(35)
4.	Parents make an attempt to encourage development through play	9(22.5)	7(17.5)	24(60)
5.	Parents appreciate their child for his/her good work	-	10(25)	30(75)

Table 7 Parent- child activities (play). (N=40)

S.No.	Parenting skill (scoring)	Frequency (%)
1.	Good parenting (1-27)	20(50)
2.	Average parenting (28-54)	19(47.5)
3.	Negligent parenting (55-80)	1(2.5)

Table 8 Levels of scoring (N=40)

Confidentiality was maintained throughout data collection. Data was analyzed by using SPSS-20 version for descriptive and inferential statistics. The data presentation done in the form of tables.

Results

[Table 1] depicted that the significant number of subjects (72.5%) were in the age group of more than 34 years, 50% belongs to urban area, 90% of them were married, had 40% senior secondary education,75% of them were unskilled, 77.5% belongs to Hindu religion, 62.5% had nuclear family, 47.5% have 1-4 family members, 45% had per month income of rupees 10,000-20,000/-, 80% of subjects had no psychiatric illness, 70% of parents have 2 children, 80% of subjects had no history of drug abuse.

[Table 2] revealed that majority of subjects i.e. 57.5% were in the age- group of 12-15 years. Out of them, 60% were males, 72.5% born with normal vaginal delivery, 57.5% had birth weight of 2 – 2.5 kg, 92.5% had parents as their primary care-givers, 80% of children had no family history of Psychiatric illness.

Assessment of parenting skills under different domains

[Table 3] inferred that only 40% of child communicate with appropriate speed of words, majority of subjects (70%) uses warm tone while communicating with their children sometimes, 42.5% of the subjects punish their child on using unsociable words, 57.5% of subjects told that their child easily share his/her feelings with them, 77.5% of the subjects try attempts to correct their children language , 50% of subjects told that their child make eye- contact during conversation, 52.5% of subjects recognize child need for repetition, significant number of subjects (67.5%) show their child that they listen to him/her.

[Table 4] depicted that significant number of subjects (45%) had first aid kit at home and similarity 45% had no first aid kit at their home, 52.5% of parents provide material required by their child interest. 67.5% of subjects take their children to social gatherings and 82.5% of subjects make sure that dangerous items at home are not accessible to their children.

[Table 5] revealed that significant number of subjects (70%) understand their children verbal and non- verbal signals, 65% of subjects routinely eat meals together, significant number of subjects (60%) that demands and requests of their children are appropriate according to their age. Majority of subjects (50%) doesn’t make rules appropriate to their children maturity level . 55% of the subjects set aside time to spend that with their children. 40% of the subjects punish child for the purpose of teaching. Significant number of subjects (72.5%) always help their children cope with stress.

[Table 6] inferred that significant number of subjects (52.5%) never left their child unsupervised, about 50% of parents always monitor what their child do watch on TV and for how much time, while equal number of subjects (35% each) did not allow their child for experimentation while some parents do it for sometimes only, about 70% of subjects always pay close attention for selection of caregiver, 67.5% of parents were always ready for the emergencies and hard times, 60% of parents were always with their child when they need to talk with them, about 57.5% of parents always attend school meetings, 67.5% of parents always treat their child with respect, about 52.5% of parents sometimes take time away from child to refresh themselves, most of the parents (52.5%) never asked for opinion from their child, 85% of parents always.

[Table 7] depictedthat significant number of parents (37.5%) never engaged themselves with their child in play, 42.5% parents never used play as learning activity, 37.5% of children were not exposed to different activities, about 60% of parents always make an attempt to encourage their child to play and found it good for their development, 75% parents always praise their child for their good work.

[Table 8] revealed that 50% of the subjects having good parenting skills, 47.5% of average parenting and only 2.5% of the subjects have negligent parenting skills.

Discussion

The mental health of a child is equally important as physical health. Mental disorders are health aspects which include changes in thinking, behaviour or emotions (or a combination of these).^[6]

Recent study findings are supported by a study was conducted by Ma et al (2010) on parenting skills and need among parents of primary school children and to explore influencing factors. By multi stage stratified random clustered sampling method, a group of 1394 parents of urban and rural primary school children were taken as sample. A self-report questionnaire as filled which includes socio- demographic profiles, parenting scale, parenting need assessment, parent- to child interaction and physical/mental maltreatment experiences in childhood .Results revealed that there is greater need of parenting skills in both urban and rural parents.^[7]

A study was conducted by Andrade, Browne and Naber con parenting skills and readiness for the treatment of their child and parent participation in treatment. Total 143 parents were taken in the study in which their readiness, participation in treatment, parenting skills and child beahviour were assessed. The results revealed that 41% of parents were “ready” and 39% of the parents were “less in need” for the treatment of the child.^[8]

Parenting can be rewarding or astounding task, but it can be challenging for parents having children with psychiatric disorders. This study was conducted to assess the parenting skills of parents having children with psychiatric disorder in which 40 subjects were taken as study subjects. The good parenting skills which are discussed need to be practiced in parents so that they will be able to exhibit good parenting skills.

Conclusion

According to study findings, it found that only half (50%) of the parents have good parenting skills, but 47.5% of parents still have average parenting skills. On the other hand, only 2.5% have negligent parenting skills. Thus these findings direct us to look into the matter why parents don’t practice good parenting skills to have better outcomes for their children. This is an opportunity for the researcher to navigate a new study to look at problems with new dimensions.

Source of Funding

None.

Conflict of Interest

None.

References

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Maccoby E, Martin J, EH. Socialization in the context of the family: Parents-child interaction. Socialization, personality and social development. 4th Edn.. 1983;4. [Google Scholar]
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Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results

Assessment of parenting skills under different domains

Discussion
Conclusion
Source of Funding
Conflict of Interest
References

IP International Journal of Medical Paediatrics and Oncology

Assessment of parenting skills of parents having children with psychiatric disorders attending psychiatry unit

Author Details: Renu Sharma * Sunita Sharma Akhilesh Sharma

Abstract

Introduction

Materials and Methods

Results

Assessment of parenting skills under different domains

Discussion

Conclusion

Source of Funding

Conflict of Interest

References

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Author Details:

Renu Sharma ^*

Sunita Sharma

Akhilesh Sharma