Deconstructing noncompliance: parental experiences of children's challenging behaviours in a clinical sample. (4th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Robson, Jane; Kuczynski, Leon
• Is Part Of: International journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being. Volume 13(2018)Supplement 1
• Publication Date: 2018-06-04
• Subjects: Child agency -- noncompliance -- resistance -- aggression -- socialization -- social relational theory (SRT); Qualitative research -- Periodicals; Health -- Research -- Methodology -- Periodicals; 362.1072
• DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2018.1563432
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1748-2623

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Purpose: This study explored the phenomenon of children's nonconforming behaviours from the perspective of parents who sought clinical services for children's severe noncompliance. Method: Mothers from 25 families who accessed clinical services were interviewed about their relationship with their children aged 8–13 and their experiences of their children's challenging behaviours. Results: Mothers distinguished two different types of challenging behaviour: normative resistance and extreme aggression. Mothers described normative resistance as an expected part of children's developing autonomy and treated resistance with behavioural management strategies. Mothers also described occasions when children displayed emotionally dis-regulated extreme aggression, which were consistent with clinical descriptions of children's difficult to manage behaviour. Conclusion: Contrary to clinical recommendations mothers used relational strategies to reconnect children with their agency. The distinction between two different child behaviours, and strategies for each challenging behaviours have theoretical and practical implications.