Parental Problem-Solving Measure: Further Evaluation With Maltreating and Nonmaltreating Parents

• NCJ Number: 157544
• Journal: Journal of Family Violence Volume: 10 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1995) Pages: 319-336
• Author(s): D J Hansen; G M Pallotta; J S Christopher; R L Conaway; L M Lundquist
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 18 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Inability to solve problems related to parenting and other aspects of daily living was hypothesized to result in frustration or inability to cope and contribute to the occurrence of problem parent behavior.

Abstract

The study evaluated the Parental Problem-Solving Measure (PPSM), a procedure for measuring parental problem-solving skills of maltreating and nonmaltreating parents. Subjects included 60 parents with at least one child between 2 and 12 years of age and were assigned to one of three groups: (1) 27 physically abusive and/or neglectful parents; (2) 12 nonmaltreatment clinic parents seeking help for child behavior problems; and (3) 21 nonmaltreating, non-help-seeking community parents. Results demonstrated interrater reliability, internal consistency, and temporal stability of the PPSM and its subscales. Support was also provided for the measure's convergent and discriminant validity. Study findings suggest that remediating problem-solving deficits of abusing parents may be an important intervention strategy. 31 references and 5 tables