Citation

Wahler R. J. Child Fam. Stud. 1994; 3(2): 143-156.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/BF02234064

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper outlines data and speculations relevant to a "social continuity" hypothesis regarding the development of children's conduct problems. According to the hypothesis, conduct problems arise from an absence of continuity in the child's relationship with parents. This absence constitutes an unpredictable and aversive context for the child, and because the youngster's disruptive conduct can generate short term continuity, that behavior is likely to be reinforced. A review of research concerning this hypothesis is presented and the conclusions focus on evidence of continuity in cooperative parent-child exchanges and discontinuity in non-compliant exchanges. The grounding of this hypothesis within social learning and theory is outlined and its heuristic value for future research and clinical interventions is presented.