An analysis of communication effectiveness between parents and the hyperactive child

Abstract

The purpose of the investigation was to explore variables associated with the effectiveness of communication between parents and their hyperactive child in an experimental task. Communication content, measures of physiological changes in the child, and aspects of parent-child relations were explored as variables in communication effectiveness that have relevance for research and remedial programs concerned with hyperactivity. Fourteen families, each consisting of the hyperactive child, mother and father, participated in the experimental task which required verbal exchanges to correctly identify novel graphic designs. Verbal content and duration of communications between the child and parents, each acting as senders and receivers, were analyzed for qualitative differences associated with accurate identification of the designs. Also, an assessment was made of changes in cardiac and skin resistance measures taken from the child during verbal exchanges with each parent. , Each parent completed self- and spouse-report versions of the Parent-Child Relations Questionnaire. Differences between parents were examined using a cluster analysis of scales on each questionnaire. In addition, each parent completed a questionnaire biweekly for 16 weeks to report reactions to the child's class work. The responses on this questionnaire were Q-sorted by judges into categories concerning several types of reaction to the class work and the extent of reinforcement contained in responses to the child. Based on the number of correct identifications and the results of the content analysis of communication, it was found that mothers tended to be more effective in communicating with the children than were the fathers. Generally, there were no changes in the physiological measures taken from the child during communication with parents in the sender or receiver roles. The measures of parent-child relations revealed that mothers appeared more loving and attentive, with fewer demanding, rejecting, and casual qualities than fathers. The three families scoring highest on the number of correct identifications evidenced communication content similar to that for mothers overall, but they tended to be less loving, more demanding, rejecting and casual than families scoring lowest in correct identifications. The findings for communication content and parent-child relations were somewhat opposite to those cited in previous research, but the lack of physiological changes was consistent with earlier results. The findings of the present study were discussed in terms of recommendations for obtaining more definitive answers regarding effectiveness of communication between parents and their child.