Reducing household chaos to improve parenting quality? An RCT

Household chaos (high noise levels, clutter, and lack of family routines) has been related to more harsh and less sensitive parenting. The current study employed an RCT design aiming to decrease household chaos and thereby improve parenting quality. In total, 125 primary caregivers of children aroun...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied developmental psychology 2022-05, Vol.80, p.101398, Article 101398
Main Authors: Andeweg, Suzanne M., Bodrij, F. Fenne, Prevoo, Mariëlle J.L., Rippe, Ralph C.A., Alink, Lenneke R.A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Caregivers
Developmental psychology
Harsh discipline
Household chaos
Intervention
Noise
Parents & parenting
RCT
Sensitive parenting
Therapeutic alliances
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Summary:Household chaos (high noise levels, clutter, and lack of family routines) has been related to more harsh and less sensitive parenting. The current study employed an RCT design aiming to decrease household chaos and thereby improve parenting quality. In total, 125 primary caregivers of children around age 1.5 years with relatively high levels of household chaos participated. Questionnaires, video-observations, a diary app, and a decibel meter assessing noise were used to measure household chaos and parenting. Findings showed reduced harsh discipline in the intervention group but no effect on sensitivity. However, our results could not confirm a reduction in household chaos as a result of the intervention. As we controlled for generic intervention elements (perceived effectiveness and therapeutic alliance), the effect on harsh discipline may be due to an unmeasured effect on household chaos. Our results tentatively indicate that household chaos may be a salient factor in demanding parenting situations. •RCT with an intervention designed to lower household chaos•Household chaos and parenting measured through multiple objective measures•Intervention effective in reducing harsh discipline but not in improving sensitivity•Household chaos seems to affect parenting in demanding situations
ISSN:0193-3973
1873-7900
DOI:10.1016/j.appdev.2022.101398