TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER I: THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK AND
RESEARCH QUESTIONS .. 2
INTRODUCTION 2
RATIONALE 5
PURPOSE OF STUDY .. 7
RESEARCH QUESTIONS 7
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORKS . 9
Introduction .. 9
Internal Working Model .. . 9
Symbolic Interactionism .. 13
Family Systems Theory .. 18
SUMMARY 21
DEFINITIONS 21
CHAPTER II: LITERATURE REVIEW . 26
INTRODUCTION . 26
THE CAREGIVER-CHILD RELATIONSHIP .. 26
CAREGIVER PERCEPTIONS .. 29
Descriptive Perceptions .. 30
Analytical Perceptions . 31
Evaluative Perceptions 32
Efficacy Perceptions . 34
FACTORS INFLUENCING CAREGIVER PERCEPTIONS .. 34
Child Factors . 35
Physiological State 36
Temperament 37
Self-Regulation .. 38
The Effect of Child Temperament on Caregiver Perceptions 41
The Role of the Caregiver 41
Consistency . 42
Sensitivity . 42
Common Focus of Interest 43
Influence of Control and Power 44
Communication .. 47
Relationships within Relationships .. 49
Parental Relationship . 50
Family Relationships . 52
Sibling Relationships . 55
Multi-Family Level Relationships . 56
Socio-Cultural Influences 59
Socio-economic Status . 59
Community 59
Social Support . 63
Cultural Influences .. 64
SUMMARY .. 68
CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY .. 69
INTRODUCTION 69
RATIONALE FOR METHODOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK .. 70
SAMPLING . 72
RESEARCH CONTEXT 74
PARTICIPANT CONFIDENTIALITY AND BENEFITS ... 75
DATA COLLECTING PROCEDURES .. 77
Introduction . 77
Referral File Documents .. 77
The Parent Information Form .. 78
The TABS Assessment 78
In-Depth, Semi-Structured Interviews 79
DATA ANALYSIS . 80
STANDARDS OF VERIFICATION . 84
Bracketing Interview. .. 84
Clarification Checks 86
Debriefing Groups .. 87
LIMITATIONS OF THE DATA COLLECTION AND
ANALYSIS PROCESS . 88
Selection Bias . 88
Interviewer Bias .. 89
Spurious Conclusions 89
SUMMARY . 90
CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS OF THE DATA . 92
VIGNETTES 92
Beth ... 93
Bob and Lou Smith . 97
Darla .. 101
Gary . .. 104
Kate 107
Liz .. 110
Sally .. 115
Tara 118
One Final Note .. 121
THE RESEARH PROCESS AND FINDINGS . 122
THE CIRCULARITY OF CAREGIVER PERCEPTIONS
OVER TIME . 125
Perceptions of the Past . . 129
Relationship of the Self to the Child. . 129
The Parental Relationship .. 129
Meaningful Relationships . .. 131
Community and Societal Relationships...................... 132
Cultural Expectations 133
Perceptions of the Present .. .. 135
Perceptions about the Child .. 135
Behavior as It .. .. 137
Normal or Not Normal .. .. 137
Deliberateness of Behavior .. . 139
Perceptions of the Self 139
Who Is To Blame? . .. ... 142
Self Blame 143
Blamed By Others 144
Blaming Someone or Something Else 145
Perceptions of the Future ... 147
Fear of the Child .. 147
Fear for the Child .. . 148
Temporary or Long-Lasting .. 149
A SYNOPSIS OF THE FINDINGS 149
CHAPTER V: INTERPRETATION OF THE FINDINGS .. 153
INTRODUCTION.. 153
SEEKING MEANING . .. 154
Whats in a Name .. . 155
Behavior as It 158
Normal or Not Normal 159
WHO OR WHAT IS TO BLAME...... 160
Blaming the Child 160
Self Blame . .. ... 161
Who Is In Charge . 163
Someone Elses Fault . 165
THE IMPORTANCE OF WHAT OTHERS THINK.. .. 166
Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child . 167
Divine Intervention 168
From the Mouth of a Stranger . 169
HELP IN TIME OF NEED 171
Parental Support 171
The Relatives. ... 174
Differentiation . .. . 175
Community and Societal Support .. 177
WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT:
BEHAVIOR OVER TIME 179
Here to Stay .. . 179
Gone Tomorrow . .. 181
Fear for the Child . 183
Fear of the Child 183
A NOTE ABOUT LIZ AND BETH ... 184
DISCUSSION ... .. 185
IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH AND PRACTICE . 190
Implications for Research .. 191
Implications for Practice .. .. 192
REFLECTIONS .. 197
REFERENCES 199
APPENDICES . 230
APPENDIX A .. 231
Application for Review of Research Involving
Human Subjects 232
APPENDIX B ... 242
Success By 6 Consent Form .. 243
APPENDIX C 244
Caregiver Consent Form . 245
APPENDIX D 247
Success By 6 Evaluation Team Confidentiality
Form 248
APPENDIX E ... 249
Debriefing Group Confidentiality Form . 250
APPENDIX F . 251
Caregiver Interview Guide 252
VITA . 254