Related Experiment Videos
Assessing parenting competence in child protection cases: a clinical practice model
1Department of Psychology, DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois 60614, USA. kbudd@wppost.depaul.edu
Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review
|June 5, 2001
Summary
This paper presents a clinical evaluation model for assessing parental fitness in child abuse or neglect cases. It emphasizes a functional, behavior-based approach focusing on the parent-child relationship and a minimal parenting standard.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Forensic Psychology
- Clinical Assessment
Background:
- Parental fitness evaluations are complex, especially in abuse/neglect cases.
- Existing assessment methods face challenges like lack of standardized criteria and predictive accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a practice model for clinical evaluations of parental fitness for young children (under 8).
- To address challenges in assessing parenting capacity within legal contexts.
Main Methods:
- A functional approach focusing on observable parenting behaviors and skills.
- Utilizing a minimal parenting standard for evaluation.
- Employing a multimethod, multisource, multisession assessment strategy.
Main Results:
- The model prioritizes parent-child relationship quality and fit.
- Evaluation reports are objective, behaviorally descriptive, and logically sound.
- Evaluators clarify referral questions and avoid ultimate legal opinions.
Conclusions:
- The proposed model offers a structured approach to parental fitness evaluations.
- It aims to improve objectivity and clinical utility in sensitive cases.
- The model outlines necessary skills and reporting protocols for evaluators.