Connecting Parents to Information and Support

1
Connecting Parents to Information and Support

• Edward L. Schor. MD
• Program Director
• Child Development and Preventive Care
• The Commonwealth Fund
• March 1, 2004

2
Families are the most central, powerful and
enduring influence in childrens lives.
3
The Process of Child Health Care

• Parents
• Knowledge
• Attitudes
• Behavior

Child Health Care
Child Health Outcomes
4
Teachable Moments

• The right information for that person when they
  want it.

5
People believe its harder to be a parent today...
A Lot Easier Said Than Done Public Agenda, 2002
6
Which do you worry about more as a parent?
A Lot Easier Said Than Done Public Agenda, 2002
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Parents confidence about caring for their child
Fuligni and Brooks-Gunn, 2002
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Parents Misconceptions

• Of parents with young children
• 62 believe babies do not take in or react to the
  world around them until 2 months
• 55 say a baby must be at least 3 months to sense
  their parents mood
• 72 believe babies cannot be depressed until 12
  months or older

What Grown-Ups Understand About Child
Development, 2000
9
Parents Misconceptions

• Parents of young children
• 51 expect a 15-month-old to share
• Almost 40 believe a 12-month-olds behavior can
  be based on revenge
• 57 believe a baby younger than 6 months can be
  spoiled

What Grown-Ups Understand About Child
Development, 2000
10
Types of support for parents

• Advice and information
• Tangible aid
• Emotional support
• Coherence support

Gottlieb and Pancer, 1988
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Young Parents Information Sources

• Family
• Friends
• Professionals
• Individual education and counseling
• Classes
• Home visiting
• Family resource centers
• Telephone warm lines

• Media
• -- TV
• -- Print Media
• -- Internet

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Person most comfortable talking with about
child-rearing
Fuligni and Brooks-Gunn, 2002
13
If you had to move to a new community, how likely
would you be to seek information of child-care
from the following source?
Very likely
Not at all likely
Greenberg, S.R., Lotyczewski, B.S., Hightower,
A.D. (2002). Community Report on Children
Entering School in 2000-2001. - Rochester, New
York

• Religious institution
• Local library
• Childcare RR
• Dept. Social Services

• Doctor, health clinic
• Neighbors/friends
• Local school
• People from work

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Receipt and Usefulness of Services
Percent
Schuster, Regalado, Duan Klein, 2002
15

• Some working models
• Help Me Grow
• 211
• Extension Services mailings
• Potential Resource
• Title V Hotlines

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Parenting

• Not doing as good a job raising kids as they
  think they should 61
• Overwhelmed 17
• Overly Permissive 17
• Overly Bossy, Authoritarian 18
• Obtained professional help about issues regarding
  their child 22

A Lot Easier Said Than Done Public Agenda, 2002
17
To be a single parent has got to be the most
stressful thing in the world
A Lot Easier Said Than Done Public Agenda, 2002