Open AccessEvaluating the Efficacy of an Attachment-Informed Psychotherapeutic Parenting Program for Incarcerated Parents
Author(s) -
N. Laura Kamptner,
Faith H. Teyber,
Nicholas Rockwood,
Dolly Drzewiecki
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of prison education and reentry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2387-2306
DOI - 10.15845/jper.v4i2.1058
Subject(s) - psychology , corporal punishment , parenting skills , parent training , developmental psychology , distress , parent education , positive parenting , population , clinical psychology , social psychology , intervention (counseling) , medicine , psychiatry , environmental health
An attachment-based, psychotherapeutic parent education course was created for incarcerated
mothers and fathers to improve their ability to provide positive parenting and a more stable home environment for their children. The current study assessed the effects of this parenting curriculum on parents’ tendencies to be abusive, their sense of efficacy and satisfaction as a parent, their psychological distress, and their knowledge of child development and positive child guidance strategies. Results of pre-post assessments showed a significant improvement in parents’ sense of efficacy and satisfaction in the parenting role; their knowledge, skills, and behavior as a parent; their understanding of child development; their knowledge of alternatives to using corporal punishment; establishing appropriate parent-child boundaries; and they were less likely to view their child’s independence as a threat. Females showed a significant decrease in distress symptoms. Results are discussed in terms of the critical need for effective, high-quality parent education to break the intergenerational cycle of poor parenting for this at-risk population.