Behavior and anxiety problems in children are a normal course of the developmental process, however at times these problems become functionally impairing. Statistics have shown that conduct problems (Conduct Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder) account for roughly 40% of physician referrals for mental health treatment (Mash & Barkley 2014). Research has shown that if these children are not treated at an early age, they are at a greater risk for more aggressive behaviors, peer rejection, school dropout and drug and alcohol use. (Cooley et al. 2014). Children with anxiety disorders are often at a target for rejection and are at risk for many different psychiatric disorders in adolescence (Mash & Barkley 2014).
The cause of childhood …show more content…
External attributions fault situational factors as the cause of the ill behavior, while internal attributions fault the person’s dispositional traits. Stable attributions attest to the belief that the cause of the behavior is irreversible, while unstable attributions indicate a possibility that the behavior can be improved. A controllable attribution implies that the person has the power and capacity to create the necessary changes, while an uncontrollable attribution suggests the person does not believe that he/she has the ability to alter the behavior (Hilt, 2004). As an example, individuals with clinical depression who suffer a negative incident, often blame themselves (internal attribution), believe they have no control over these negative incidents (uncontrollable attribution) and feel that the cause cannot be changed (stable attribution); hence they are mired in a depressive state (Hilt, …show more content…
Johnson and Ohan (2005) reviewed studies and found parents of children with ADHD and/or oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder were more likely to view their child’s negative behaviors as internal, stable and controllable. They believe their child is in control of their negative behavior and is intentionally misbehaving; their child will act out regardless of the cause and their behavior is due to dispositional factors. Research has shown that parents who view their child in this manner are more likely to use harsher disciplinary techniques and criticize their child more often (Morrissey- Kane & Prinz, 1999). Due to the transactional nature between parent reactions and child behavior, the parents’ negative attitudes can reinforce the child’s subsequent deleterious behavior, resulting in a coercive cycle (Johnston and Ohan, 2005). These parents are less likely to give their children credit for positive behaviors, and since they believe that they are intentionally misbehaving, parents are more stressed and angry. They believe there is little chance that the child will change and therefore have a more pessimistic attitude towards treatment, leading to a higher attrition rate (Morrissey- Kane & Prinz, 1999). Slep and O’Learly (1998) found that if parents’ were
The cause of childhood …show more content…
External attributions fault situational factors as the cause of the ill behavior, while internal attributions fault the person’s dispositional traits. Stable attributions attest to the belief that the cause of the behavior is irreversible, while unstable attributions indicate a possibility that the behavior can be improved. A controllable attribution implies that the person has the power and capacity to create the necessary changes, while an uncontrollable attribution suggests the person does not believe that he/she has the ability to alter the behavior (Hilt, 2004). As an example, individuals with clinical depression who suffer a negative incident, often blame themselves (internal attribution), believe they have no control over these negative incidents (uncontrollable attribution) and feel that the cause cannot be changed (stable attribution); hence they are mired in a depressive state (Hilt, …show more content…
Johnson and Ohan (2005) reviewed studies and found parents of children with ADHD and/or oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder were more likely to view their child’s negative behaviors as internal, stable and controllable. They believe their child is in control of their negative behavior and is intentionally misbehaving; their child will act out regardless of the cause and their behavior is due to dispositional factors. Research has shown that parents who view their child in this manner are more likely to use harsher disciplinary techniques and criticize their child more often (Morrissey- Kane & Prinz, 1999). Due to the transactional nature between parent reactions and child behavior, the parents’ negative attitudes can reinforce the child’s subsequent deleterious behavior, resulting in a coercive cycle (Johnston and Ohan, 2005). These parents are less likely to give their children credit for positive behaviors, and since they believe that they are intentionally misbehaving, parents are more stressed and angry. They believe there is little chance that the child will change and therefore have a more pessimistic attitude towards treatment, leading to a higher attrition rate (Morrissey- Kane & Prinz, 1999). Slep and O’Learly (1998) found that if parents’ were