Who Looks on the Bright Side? Expectations of Low-Income Parents with a Disruptive Young Child

• Published in: Journal of psychopathology and behavioral assessment 2021-12, Vol.43 (4), p.766-777
• Main Authors: Sullivan, Alexandra D. W., Wright, Kat L., Breslend, Nicole, Highlander, April, Forehand, Rex, Jones, Deborah J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Behavioral Science and Psychology; Caregivers; Child poverty; Clinical Psychology; Family relations; Hopelessness; Low income groups; Optimism; Parents & parenting; Personality and Social Psychology; Psychology; Self-efficacy; Stress
• ISSN: 0882-2689; 1573-3505
• DOI: 10.1007/s10862-021-09888-x

Low-income parents are more likely to have a child with disruptive behaviors. Furthermore, these parents are likely to struggle with low expectations about the future, which can interfere with treatment response to even the most effective treatments. The purpose of this study was to explore correlates of low-income parents’ expectations, specifically hopelessness and optimism, in families with clinic-referred disruptive young children. Using baseline data from an intervention trial (Jones et al., 2021 ), we used a multi-informant approach to test whether parenting behaviors, child misbehavior, and parental daily stressors were related to parent hopelessness and optimism. Results based on the Everyday Stress Index indicated that only daily stressors, particularly those related to relationships and responsibilities, were related to parent feelings of hopelessness and optimism. Results were interpreted through transactional and ecological systems theories, particularly the Family Stress Model (Conger & Conger, 2002 ), as well as a low-income parent’s self-efficacy as a caregiver. Clinical implications are discussed.