Date of Award:
5-2010
Document Type:
Thesis
Degree Name:
Educational Specialist (EdS)
Department:
Psychology
Committee Chair(s)
Clinton E. Field
Committee
Clinton E. Field
Committee
Renee V. Galliher
Committee
Gretchen Gimpel Peacock
Abstract
Based on classic marital research of John Gottman, a popular notion exists that interpersonal relationships thrive when the number of positive interactions outweighs negative interactions by a ratio of five to one. Though many have given similar advice for parents and caregivers, Gottman's findings and methodology may not generalize to relationships of parents and young children. Were similar ratio findings to be validated for parent-child relationships, explicit ratio advice may be incorporated as a component of clinical practice (e.g., behavioral parent training). To begin investigating potential clinical implications, a project was conducted that examined mothers' ability to achieve prescribed ratios following brief instruction. Baseline ratio levels for a small sample of nonclinical mother-child dyads were approximately one positive for every one negative. When instructed to attain a 5 to 1 ratio, all participants improved their ratios; half the sample achieved the target ratio. Mothers in the study altered their ratios primarily by boosting the number of positives they used with their children.
Checksum
18280c1c389181b8ff0b4542851bbd56
Recommended Citation
Armstrong, Andrew B., "Altering Positive/Negative Interaction Ratios in Relationships of Mothers and Young Children: A Preliminary Investigation" (2010). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023. 585.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/585
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