Focuses on research, led by Anita Weiner of Haifa University in
Israel, that suggests that video feedback presents a powerful way for
social welfare agencies to work with nonverbal, hard-to-reach families.
Details of the study; Eight behaviors considered essential to successful
parent-child interactions.
By
PT Staff, published on May 01, 1995
Of what can we create ties that bind? Would you believe:
celluloid?
Problem parents given instant feedback on their interactions with
their children by way of a video camera make very reel gains, an Israeli
study shows. And the improvements seem to be lasting.
The researchers, led by Anita Weiner, Ph.D., of Haifa University,
believe that video feedback presents an especially powerful way for
social welfare agencies to work with nonverbal, hard-to-reach
families.
At weekly home visits for three to six months, social workers taped
each of 52 families who lacked effective techniques for relating to their
children. Then they showed parents the previous week's tape, which they
had prescreened with their supervisors, and pointed out bits of effective
verbal and nonverbal behavior worthy of reinforcement. Essentially, they
showed the families step-by-step what they were doing right whenever they
did something positive.
The study dwelt on eight behaviors widely regarded as essential to
successful parent-child interactions:
o describing to the child, in an encouraging fashion, what is
taking place during interactions
o taking turns so that attention is shared among all family
members
o helping the most passive family member participate in
interactions
o taking the lead when the child needs to know what behavior is
expected of him or her
o giving guidance and approval for children's initiatives
o phrasing all instruction in a positive way ("Do it like this"
rather than "Don't do that")
o following interactions with the appropriate verbal response while
looking at the child
o enjoying pleasant moments together.
All video families scored significantly higher in positive
parenting actions than a control group, and were in far less danger of
child maltreatment after than before. There were other gains, too--the
kids appeared happier and looked in better shape. And even the homes
looked better..
"For the first time in their lives," the researchers report in
Family Process (Vol. 33, No. 6), "these families have an opportunity to
see and hear what happens between them and their children, together with
a skilled, sympathetic witness who understands the needs of their
children and can help them interpret what they are doing.
"These parents and children are the key actors on the screen, and
the attention they receive is a powerful incentive to progress."
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