Citation

Chavez-Arana C, Catroppa C, Yáñez-Téllez G, Prieto-Corona B, Amaya-Hernández A, de León MA, Garcia A, Gómez-Raygoza R, Hearps SJC, Anderson V. J. Int. Neuropsychol. Soc. 2019; 25(3): 237-248.

Affiliation

1Child Neuropsychology,Murdoch Childrens Research Institute,Victoria,Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Cambridge University Press)

DOI

10.1017/S1355617718001236

PMID

30864536

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Children with acquired brain injury (ABI) can present with disruptive behavior, which is often a consequence of injury and parent factors. Parent factors are associated with child disruptive behavior. Furthermore, disinhibition in the child also leads to disruptive behavior. However, it is unclear how these factors interact. We investigated whether parental factors influence child disruptive behavior following ABI and how these factors interact.

METHODS: Parents of 77 children with ABI participated in the study. Parent factors (executive dysfunction, trait-anxiety), potential intervention targets (dysfunctional parenting practices, parental stress, child disinhibition), and child disruptive behavior were assessed. A hypothetical model based on the literature was tested using mediation and path analysis.

RESULTS: Mediation analysis revealed that child disinhibition and dysfunctional parenting practices mediated the association of parent factors and child disruptive behavior. Parents' executive dysfunction mediated the association of dysfunctional parenting practices, parental stress and parent trait-anxiety. Parenting practices mediated the association of executive dysfunction and child disruptive behavior. Path analysis indices indicated good model adjustment. Comparative and Tucker-Lewis Index were >0.95, and the root mean square error of approximation was 0.059, with a chi-square of 0.25.

CONCLUSIONS: A low level of parental trait-anxiety may be required to reduce dysfunctional parenting practices and child disinhibition. Impairments in child disinhibition can be exacerbated when parents present with high trait-anxiety. Child disinhibition is the major contributor of disruptive behavior reported by parents and teachers. The current study provides evidence of parent anxiety and child disinhibition as possible modifiable intervention targets for reducing child disruptive behavior. (JINS, 2019, 25, 237-248).

Language: en

Keywords

Acquired brain injury; Anxiety; Children and behavior; Executive functions; Parenting