Maternal disciplinary practices in south indian mothers an analysis of situational, parent and child variables b

APPENDIX B STUDY – INTRODUCTION LETTER AND QUESTIONNAIRE TO MOTHERS 141 NATIONAL UNIVERSITY of SINGAPORE Psychology Programme, Department of Social Work & Psychology, 11, Law Link, Republic of Singapore 117570. Founded 1905 Parvathi N. Sivaraman, PhD Candidate, Department of Social Work and Psychology, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117570. Dear Mother, I am a Ph.D. candidate at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and am studying parental disciplinary practices. I am interested to study how parents discipline their children. To this I would like to invite mothers to participate in this study by completing a questionnaire. Please answer the following questions about what you would in situations where you may have to discipline your child. The questions are simple and straightforward and will take no more than 30 minutes of your time. Please answer honestly. Detailed instructions on how to fill in the questionnaire follow. All responses will be kept confidential and will be used strictly for research and academic purposes only. This project is aimed at achieving a better understanding of the parentchild relationship and how parents discipline their children. The results from this project can be used also to obtain insight into how parents treat their children in the Indian context, with specific reference to Chennai. Such a study has not been carried out here before. I would greatly appreciate your participation and cooperation in this regard. However, please be informed that participation is voluntary and you may choose not to participate. If you have any questions/clarifications, please not hesitate to call me at 98413 83877. Looking forward to your help and the valuable information that only you can provide. Yours sincerely, (Parvathi N.S.) 15 Sept, 2003. 142 PERSONAL PARTICULARS** 1. NAME OF MOTHER : 2. AGE : 3. EDUCATION : 4. CONTACT NUMBER : 5. NUMBER OF CHILDREN : 6. BIRTH ORDER OF THIS CHILD : 7. PRIMARY DISCIPLINARIAN IN THE FAMILY : ** Kindly note that these details are required only to get in touch with you in case the researcher has any clarifications and also to describe the group of parents studied. Please be assured that your name or any other details will not be mentioned anywhere in the final report. 143 INSTRUCTIONS 1. Imagine you find your child in each of the following situations presented here. Please give your response by stating how likely you are to use each of the possible response techniques stated. That is, how likely are you to use each of the response techniques in your attempt to discipline your child. 2. Answer the questionnaire keeping in mind the child that brought this questionnaire home. However, if you have more than one child and both have received the questionnaire, please answer only for one child. You are free to choose the child you will answer the questionnaire for. 3. This questionnaire is to be filled in by the mother. In the event that the mother is not available or is not comfortable with English, please return the questionnaire. 144 EXAMPLE The following is an example of how to fill in the questionnaire. Situation 1: You are outside with your family. When you are not looking, your child runs into a busy street, falls down and starts crying. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 Very little Little Moderate Much Very Much I) How likely is it that you will use each of the following responses to discipline your child? 1.Using commands, threats, angry questions scolding or any other form of verbal discipline to control the child’s behaviour. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 For example, if you circle it indicates that you are ‘very much’ likely to use this method to discipline your child in this situation. 2.Bribing, pleading, distracting, requesting. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 For example, if you circle 2, it indicates that you are a ‘little’ likely to use this method with your child in this situation. II) What are you trying to accomplish in this situation? 1.Try to stop the behaviour immediately and reduce your discomfort. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 For example, if you circle 4,it indicates that it is ‘much’ likely that this is what you are trying to accomplish in this particular situation. 2.Make the child understand or learn the value of something. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 For example, if you circle 3, it indicates that it is ‘moderately’ likely that you are trying to accomplish this in this particular situation. III) On whom/what would you place the responsibility of the situation? 1.How likely is it that your child is responsible for the situation? --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 For example, if you circle 5,it indicates that you think it is ‘very much’ likely that your child is responsible for this particular situation. 2.How likely is it that other circumstances led to such a situation? --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 For example, if you circle 2, it indicates that you think it is a ‘little’ likely that other circumstances are responsible for this situation. NOTE: This is only an example of how the questionnaire should be filled in. The actual questionnaire follows. 145 QUESTIONNAIRE i) You are taking your child for a walk. On the way he/she sees a stray dog and tries to pet it. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 Very little Little Moderate Much Very Much I)How likely is it that you will use each of the following responses to discipline your child? 1.Using commands, threats, angry questions, scolding or any other form of verbal discipline to control the child’s behaviour. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 2.Bribing, pleading, distracting, requesting. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 3.Ignoring, isolating the child, withdrawal of privileges or any other method to induce change in the child’s behaviour. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 4.Giving an explanation of why the behaviour is inappropriate, undesirable or dangerous, using “if…then” statements as a way of explanation. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 5.Holding, grabbing the hand or otherwise physically restraining the child. Physical action to keep the child from doing something. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 6.Slapping, hitting, pinching, pushing, shaking, holding the child with more force than necessary or any other method of deliberately inflicting physical pain on the child. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 II)What are you trying to accomplish in this situation? 1.Try to stop the behaviour immediately and reduce your discomfort. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 2.Make the child understand or learn the value of something. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 3.Communicate the importance of the relationship that you and your child share and maintain that relationship harmoniously. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 III)On whom/what would you place the responsibility of the situation? 1.How likely is it that your child is responsible for the situation? --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 2.How likely is it that other circumstances led to such a situation? --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 146 ii) Your child comes home one day with a sprained ankle. On questioning him/her you learn that he/she was running down the stairs two at a time and has slipped. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 Very little Little Moderate Much Very Much I)How likely is it that you will use each of the following responses to discipline your child? 1. Using commands, threats, angry questions, scolding or any other form of verbal discipline to control the child’s behaviour. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 2. Bribing, pleading, distracting, requesting. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 3. Ignoring, isolating the child, withdrawal of privileges or any other method to induce change in the child’s behaviour. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 4. Giving an explanation of why the behaviour is inappropriate, undesirable or dangerous, using “if…then” statements as a way of explanation. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 5. Holding, grabbing the hand or otherwise physically restraining the child. Physical action to keep the child from doing something. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 6. Slapping, hitting, pinching, pushing, shaking, holding the child with more force than necessary or any other method of deliberately inflicting physical pain on the child. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 II)What are you trying to accomplish in this situation? 1.Try to stop the behaviour immediately and reduce your discomfort. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 2.Make the child understand or learn the value of something. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 3.Communicate the importance of the relationship that you and your child share and maintain that relationship harmoniously. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 III)On whom/what would you place the responsibility of the situation? 1.How likely is it that your child is responsible for the situation? --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 2.How likely is it that other circumstances led to such a situation? --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 147 iii) You are out with your family on the beach. Your child insists on going too deep/playing too close to the water. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 Very little Little Moderate Much Very Much I)How likely is it that you will use each of the following responses to discipline your child? 1. Using commands, threats, angry questions, scolding or any other form of verbal discipline to control the child’s behaviour. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 2. Bribing, pleading, distracting, requesting. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 3. Ignoring, isolating the child, withdrawal of privileges or any other method to induce change in the child’s behaviour. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 4. Giving an explanation of why the behaviour is inappropriate, undesirable or dangerous, using “if…then” statements as a way of explanation. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 5. Holding, grabbing the hand or otherwise physically restraining the child. Physical action to keep the child from doing something. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 6. Slapping, hitting, pinching, pushing, shaking, holding the child with more force than necessary or any other method of deliberately inflicting physical pain on the child. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 II)What are you trying to accomplish in this situation? 1.Try to stop the behaviour immediately and reduce your discomfort. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 2.Make the child understand or learn the value of something. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 3.Communicate the importance of the relationship that you and your child share and maintain that relationship harmoniously. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 III)On whom/what would you place the responsibility of the situation? 1.How likely is it that your child is responsible for the situation? --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 2.How likely is it that other circumstances led to such a situation? --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 148 iv) You are in a high storey building with your child and he/she is leaning out of the window. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 Very little Little Moderate Much Very Much I)How likely is it that you will use each of the following responses to discipline your child? 1. Using commands, threats, angry questions, scolding or any other form of verbal discipline to control the child’s behaviour. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 2. Bribing, pleading, distracting, requesting. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 3. Ignoring, isolating the child, withdrawal of privileges or any other method to induce change in the child’s behaviour. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 4. Giving an explanation of why the behaviour is inappropriate, undesirable or dangerous, using “if…then” statements as a way of explanation. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 5. Holding, grabbing the hand or otherwise physically restraining the child. Physical action to keep the child from doing something. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 6. Slapping, hitting, pinching, pushing, shaking, holding the child with more force than necessary or any other method of deliberately inflicting physical pain on the child. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 II)What are you trying to accomplish in this situation? 1.Try to stop the behaviour immediately and reduce your discomfort. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 2.Make the child understand or learn the value of something. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 3.Communicate the importance of the relationship that you and your child share and maintain that relationship harmoniously. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 III)On whom/what would you place the responsibility of the situation? 1.How likely is it that your child is responsible for the situation? --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 2.How likely is it that other circumstances led to such a situation? --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 149 v) You are having some guests over at your house and your child turns away and refuses to greet them. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 Very little Little Moderate Much Very Much I)How likely is it that you will use each of the following responses to discipline your child? 1. Using commands, threats, angry questions, scolding or any other form of verbal discipline to control the child’s behaviour. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 2.Bribing, pleading, distracting, requesting. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 3. Ignoring, isolating the child, withdrawal of privileges or any other method to induce change in the child’s behaviour. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 4. Giving an explanation of why the behaviour is inappropriate, undesirable or dangerous, using “if…then” statements as a way of explanation. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 5. Holding, grabbing the hand or otherwise physically restraining the child. Physical action to keep the child from doing something. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 6. Slapping, hitting, pinching, pushing, shaking, holding the child with more force than necessary or any other method of deliberately inflicting physical pain on the child. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 II)What are you trying to accomplish in this situation? 1.Try to stop the behaviour immediately and reduce your discomfort. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 2.Make the child understand or learn the value of something. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 3.Communicate the importance of the relationship that you and your child share and maintain that relationship harmoniously. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 III)On whom/what would you place the responsibility of the situation? 1.How likely is it that your child is responsible for the situation? --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 2.How likely is it that other circumstances led to such a situation? --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 150 vi) You have taken your child shopping to a departmental store. There he/she demands/whines that you buy something for him/her. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 Very little Little Moderate Much Very Much I)How likely is it that you will use each of the following responses to discipline your child? 1. Using commands, threats, angry questions, scolding or any other form of verbal discipline to control the child’s behaviour. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 2. Bribing, pleading, distracting, requesting. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 3. Ignoring, isolating the child, withdrawal of privileges or any other method to induce change in the child’s behaviour. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 4. Giving an explanation of why the behaviour is inappropriate, undesirable or dangerous, using “if…then” statements as a way of explanation. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 5. Holding, grabbing the hand or otherwise physically restraining the child. Physical action to keep the child from doing something. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- ----------------5 6. Slapping, hitting, pinching, pushing, shaking, holding the child with more force than necessary or any other method of deliberately inflicting physical pain on the child. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 II)What are you trying to accomplish in this situation? 1.Try to stop the behaviour immediately and reduce your discomfort. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 2.Make the child understand or learn the value of something. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 3.Communicate the importance of the relationship that you and your child share and maintain that relationship harmoniously. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 III)On whom/what would you place the responsibility of the situation? 1.How likely is it that your child is responsible for the situation? --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 2.How likely is it that other circumstances led to such a situation? --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 151 vii) You have been noticing that your child sometimes tends to use inappropriate language with adults. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 Very little Little Moderate Much Very Much I)How likely is it that you will use each of the following responses to discipline your child? 1. Using commands, threats, angry questions, scolding or any other form of verbal discipline to control the child’s behaviour. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 2. Bribing, pleading, distracting, requesting. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 3. Ignoring, isolating the child, withdrawal of privileges or any other method to induce change in the child’s behaviour. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 4. Giving an explanation of why the behaviour is inappropriate, undesirable or dangerous, using “if…then” statements as a way of explanation. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 5. Holding, grabbing the hand or otherwise physically restraining the child. Physical action to keep the child from doing something. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 6. Slapping, hitting, pinching, pushing, shaking, holding the child with more force than necessary or any other method of deliberately inflicting physical pain on the child. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 II)What are you trying to accomplish in this situation? 1.Try to stop the behaviour immediately and reduce your discomfort. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 2.Make the child understand or learn the value of something. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 3.Communicate the importance of the relationship that you and your child share and maintain that relationship harmoniously. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 III)On whom/what would you place the responsibility of the situation? 1.How likely is it that your child is responsible for the situation? --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 2.How likely is it that other circumstances led to such a situation? --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 152 viii) Your child seems to be lying about happenings at school often now that you fear it may be becoming a habit. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 Very little Little Moderate Much Very Much I)How likely is it that you will use each of the following responses to discipline your child? 1. Using commands, threats, angry questions, scolding or any other form of verbal discipline to control the child’s behaviour. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 2. Bribing, pleading, distracting, requesting. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 3.Ignoring, isolating the child, withdrawal of privileges or any other method to induce change in the child’s behaviour. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 4. Giving an explanation of why the behaviour is inappropriate, undesirable or dangerous, using “if…then” statements as a way of explanation. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 5. Holding, grabbing the hand or otherwise physically restraining the child. Physical action to keep the child from doing something. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 6. Slapping, hitting, pinching, pushing, shaking, holding the child with more force than necessary or any other method of deliberately inflicting physical pain on the child. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 II)What are you trying to accomplish in this situation? 1.Try to stop the behaviour immediately and reduce your discomfort. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 2.Make the child understand or learn the value of something. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 3.Communicate the importance of the relationship that you and your child share and maintain that relationship harmoniously. --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 III)On whom/what would you place the responsibility of the situation? 1.How likely is it that your child is responsible for the situation? --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 2.How likely is it that other circumstances led to such a situation? --------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------5 153 [...]... 3 - 4 -5 5 Holding, grabbing the hand or otherwise physically restraining the child < /b> Physical action to keep the child < /b> from doing something 1 - 2 3 - 4 -5 6 Slapping, hitting, pinching, pushing, shaking, holding the child < /b> with more force than necessary or any other method of < /b> deliberately inflicting physical pain on the child < /b> 1 - 2 3 ... -5 2 Bribing, pleading, distracting, requesting 1 - 2 3 - 4 -5 3 Ignoring, isolating the child,< /b> withdrawal of < /b> privileges or any other method to induce change in < /b> the child< /b> s behaviour 1 - 2 3 - 4 -5 4 Giving an < /b> explanation of < /b> why the behaviour is inappropriate, undesirable or dangerous, using “if…then” statements as a way of < /b> explanation... using “if…then” statements as a way of < /b> explanation 1 - 2 3 - 4 -5 5 Holding, grabbing the hand or otherwise physically restraining the child < /b> Physical action to keep the child < /b> from doing something 1 - 2 3 - 4 5 6 Slapping, hitting, pinching, pushing, shaking, holding the child < /b> with more force than necessary or any other method of < /b> deliberately... each of < /b> the following responses to discipline your child?< /b> 1 Using commands, threats, angry questions, scolding or any other form of < /b> verbal discipline to control the child< /b> s behaviour 1 - 2 3 - 4 -5 2 Bribing, pleading, distracting, requesting 1 - 2 3 - 4 -5 3.Ignoring, isolating the child,< /b> withdrawal of < /b> privileges or any other method to induce... induce change in < /b> the child< /b> s behaviour 1 - 2 3 - 4 -5 4 Giving an < /b> explanation of < /b> why the behaviour is inappropriate, undesirable or dangerous, using “if…then” statements as a way of < /b> explanation 1 - 2 3 - 4 -5 5 Holding, grabbing the hand or otherwise physically restraining the child < /b> Physical action to keep the child < /b> from doing something 1... child< /b> s behaviour 1 - 2 3 - 4 -5 2 Bribing, pleading, distracting, requesting 1 - 2 3 - 4 -5 3 Ignoring, isolating the child,< /b> withdrawal of < /b> privileges or any other method to induce change in < /b> the child< /b> s behaviour 1 - 2 3 - 4 -5 4 Giving an < /b> explanation of < /b> why the behaviour is inappropriate, undesirable or dangerous,... Slapping, hitting, pinching, pushing, shaking, holding the child < /b> with more force than necessary or any other method of < /b> deliberately inflicting physical pain on the child < /b> 1 - 2 3 - 4 -5 II)What are you trying to accomplish in < /b> this situation? 1.Try to stop the behaviour immediately and < /b> reduce your discomfort 1 - 2 3 - 4 -5 2.Make the child.< /b> .. your child < /b> shopping to a departmental store There he/she demands/whines that you buy something for him/her 1 - 2 3 - 4 -5 Very little Little Moderate Much Very Much I)How likely is it that you will use each of < /b> the following responses to discipline your child?< /b> 1 Using commands, threats, angry questions, scolding or any other form of < /b> verbal discipline to control the child< /b> s... You have been noticing that your child < /b> sometimes tends to use inappropriate language with adults 1 - 2 3 - 4 -5 Very little Little Moderate Much Very Much I)How likely is it that you will use each of < /b> the following responses to discipline your child?< /b> 1 Using commands, threats, angry questions, scolding or any other form of < /b> verbal discipline to control the child< /b> s behaviour... -5 II)What are you trying to accomplish in < /b> this situation? 1.Try to stop the behaviour immediately and < /b> reduce your discomfort 1 - 2 3 - 4 -5 2.Make the child < /b> understand or learn the value of < /b> something 1 - 2 3 - 4 -5 3.Communicate the importance of < /b> the relationship that you and < /b> your child < /b> share and < /b> maintain that relationship harmoniously . achieving a better understanding of the parent- child relationship and how parents discipline their children. The results from this project can be used also to obtain insight into how parents. the child from doing something. 1 2 3 4 5 6.Slapping, hitting, pinching, pushing, shaking, holding the child with more force than necessary or any other method of deliberately inflicting. 4. Giving an explanation of why the behaviour is inappropriate, undesirable or dangerous, using “if…then” statements as a way of explanation. 1 2 3 4 5 5. Holding, grabbing the hand or