A survey of parenting practices in Queensland: implications for mental health promotion.

Abstract

Issues addressed: Improved parenting competence is recognised as an effective way of improving the health and well-being of children. In order to develop effective parenting policies and programs, information about the attitudes, concerns and child-rearing practices of parents is needed. This survey sought to describe the experience of Queensland parents. Method: Parents with a child under 12 years (n=1218) participated in a random telephone survey that included structured questions about parenting and child behaviour. Results: More than 25 per cent of parents perceived that their eldest child under 12 years had an emotional or behavioural problem in the past 6 months. In general, parents who believed that their eldest child had an emotional or behavioural problem were less confident in their parenting, less satisfied in their relationship with their partner and disciplined their child more frequently than parents who thought their child did not have an emotional or behavioural problem. Only one third of parents who perceived that their child had an emotional or behavioural problem had sought help for their child. Conclusions: A significant number of Queensland parents perceived problems with their child's behaviour or emotional development. Overall, only a small percentage of families participated in a parenting program or sought assistance for their child's behaviour. So what? These findings support the notion that parenting programs should be universally available to help reduce the prevalence of child behaviour problems and assist all families with the task of raising children.