Abstract
This article proposes a theoretical model for the comprehensive assessment of
parenting. While the emphasis throughout is on ‘core’ assessments, made in the
context of child maltreatment and substitute care, it is intended as a general theory
of parenting or care-giving and hence applicable to a wide variety of professional
situations. The model is rooted in attachment theory and evolutionary
psychology with an overarching use of systemic thinking. First of all, parenting is
located within an ecological framework. Then, the care-giving environment is
defined by drawing on the empirical, professional and theoretical literature. Central
to this model of the care-giving environment is the separation of core dimensions
that are fundamental to parenting behaviour—that is, they are an intrinsic
part of the behaviour of all parents—from those which modify parenting ability
but cannot be reduced to one of the core or fundamental dimensions. A total of
seven dimensions are considered together with some relevant assessment procedures.
It is envisaged that further work will produce a manual for this, utilizing a
variety of current assessment procedures
parenting. While the emphasis throughout is on ‘core’ assessments, made in the
context of child maltreatment and substitute care, it is intended as a general theory
of parenting or care-giving and hence applicable to a wide variety of professional
situations. The model is rooted in attachment theory and evolutionary
psychology with an overarching use of systemic thinking. First of all, parenting is
located within an ecological framework. Then, the care-giving environment is
defined by drawing on the empirical, professional and theoretical literature. Central
to this model of the care-giving environment is the separation of core dimensions
that are fundamental to parenting behaviour—that is, they are an intrinsic
part of the behaviour of all parents—from those which modify parenting ability
but cannot be reduced to one of the core or fundamental dimensions. A total of
seven dimensions are considered together with some relevant assessment procedures.
It is envisaged that further work will produce a manual for this, utilizing a
variety of current assessment procedures
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 38 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1076-1099 |
| Number of pages | 23 |
| Journal | British Journal of Social Work |
| Volume | 38 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2007 |
Keywords
- assessment of parenting, attachment, child abuse