Externalizing Behaviors in Children, Play Therapy, and Parental Involvement
Externalizing behaviors are negative behaviors in which a person might act upon, such as aggression, impulsivity, property or personal destruction, and verbal insults (Meany-Walen, Kottman, Bullis, and Dillman Taylor, 2015). This type of behavior may typically lead to more significant underlying problem(s) in the future. According to Meany-Walen et al., (2015) children that display externalizing behaviors such as aggression, and who do not receive the proper intervention have a higher risk of experiencing problems throughout their lives. Additionally, Olson, Bates, Sandy, & Lanthier (2000) state that children experiencing such behaviors are at greater risk for academic failure, rejection by peers, conflicts with family and with educators, delinquency, low educational and occupational attainment, and adult criminality. Preschool children who particularly display high levels of aggression along with social, and emotional issues are also at a higher risk for continuing this form of conduct as well (Davenport & Bourgeois, 2008). It is important to consider the familial contribution to the child’s externalizing behaviors, such as aggression. Papalia, Feldman, & Martorell (2014) consider the family atmosphere as a key influence on the development of children, and the frequency of the externalizing behaviors occurring in children who derive from families with higher levels of conflict. Without intervention
Some examples of the effects of verbal abuse are a lack of self-control, a higher probability of delinquency, and feelings of anger. As speculated by researchers, Evans et al., they “[view the] lack of self-control as the personal characteristic that links inept parenting practices such as verbal abuse … to adolescent antisocial behavior”(1098). Whenever a parent verbally abuses his children, he is affecting the way that they are able to control themselves around him (the parent) and also other people that the children comes in contact with. Other examples of the physical effects of verbal abuse is misbehavior, frustration, and a desire to get back at their parents for how they have been treated. When parents mistreat their child, they build up “feelings [that] increase the risk of delinquency because they foster belligerence and explosiveness… and create a desire for retaliation and revenge” (1098). Children that are verbally abused are more likely to struggle with controlling their anger. These children are more likely to become criminals because they have so much pent up anger that has been placed there by their parents. When parents abuse their children, they physically affect them because the child lacks self-control, is more likely to become a delinquent, and has problems with
The Externalizing Problems Composite measures behaviors, which are typically “under controlled” by the child and are often seen as disruptive to both peers and adults within the school or home environment. This composite was measured on the teacher rating form, which included the Hyperactivity, Aggression, and Conduct Problems scales. Mrs. Simpson reported in school, Gustave exhibits typical classroom behavior and self-control. Also, Gustave does not act aggressively or demonstrate any rule breaking behaviors. Overall, Gustave’s behavior in school is within the average Range and similar to peers his age.
To start off, as most of us have already know, social and cultural norms are one of the factor that influence in shaping one’s behavior, and one of them include the use of violence. The cultural norm, such one that encourage the use of violence as normal method of solving problem within families would be a risk factor of having the child likely to use violence once he or she grow up. According to Esposito, a psychotherapist, "Boys exposed to domestic violence may channel their feelings through aggressive acts such as fighting,
Brook, J. S., & Newcomb, M. D. (1995). Childhood aggression and unconventionality: Impact on later academic achievement, drug use, and workforce involvement. The Journal of Genetic Psychology, 156(4), 393. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/228521619?accountid=14068
The kind of environment a child grows up around or in has a great affect on their behavior. Human learning is somewhat a continuous reciprocal interaction of cognitive, behavioral, and what I stated early environmental factors. This type of learning is called observational learning, this is where the child observes and imitates the behavior of adults or other children around them. Another environment is the family environment, the stability of a household has a big affect on a child’s behavior. A child that has endured a parental separation, neglect, or has been abused in any way is where you can find these types of behavior. In many studies that are possing in today’s study set goals that test many different interactive involvements between themselves and their parental relationship quality. It is said that children with antisocial beliefs and bad attitudes show a different social contextual interaction with others. Showing more of aggression and delinquent behavior that brings a more
Hyperactivity, for example, is more frequent in children from families with marital discord, conflict and hostile parent-child relationships (Taylor, 1994). Parents of ADHD children are more likely to be more negative towards their children than other parents (Cunningham and Barkley, 1979), but this could be a response to the demands of living with a child with challenging behaviour (Barkley, 1990; Taylor, 1994). The progress of associated problems such as conduct disorder may also be parenting and social factors.
Children with aggression in the united states has played a big part in the world today.It has caused a great number of kids to grow up with bad habits and wrong doings. Growing up young with aggression can turn into a pattern that have been created over a long time period (Lehman1).Its first start off with simple aggressive act, then it leads to bigger problems.Also the aggression in a child can rub off his or her peers. Which also can lead to a larger group of kids growing up with the wrong set of mind. The youth is the future and knowing that most children are growing up with aggression is a very scary sight of the others. With more children growing up with aggression will cause a higher death rate and the jail count going up. Children shows different types of aggression in many ways mentally,physically,and socially.
In the second study, Ryherd (2014) examined the relationship between harsh parenting and externalizing behaviors at ages two to three years and then again at age five, to predict bullying and victimization beginning at age eight. The data was collected from the Family Transitions Project, which was a longitudinal study of 559 participants. Results indicated that harsh parenting and externalizing behaviors across a six-year timespan was associated with bullying in preadolescence (Ryherd, 2014). Externalizing
Younger children do not have the ability to express or show their emotions which can cause behavioral problems. Even a child who witness domestic violence between their caregivers is more likely to suffer from emotional consequences from seeing violence. The long-term effects of exposure in young children can have negative effects in their later years. These outcomes have been documented as leasing to behavioral problems that include school dropout, violence, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, eating disorders, and even suicide attempts. In conclusion, when parents engage in any type of dynamic of domestic violence or aggression, their children, can be at an extreme disadvantage when it comes to emotional development. There are a variety of risk factors that can affect a child
There has been a significant amount of research on the impact of corporal punishment on children, and its effect on their behavior going into adolescence. Several studies have shown that experiencing physical discipline during childhood leads to higher acts of aggression towards others, that physical punishment leads to externalizing these aggressive behaviors (Lansford, Deater-Deckard, Dodge, Bates, & Pettit, 2004). By changing important variables for each study, several researchers have come to the conclusion that parent-child physical aggression has a more significant impact on externalizing behaviors if this aggression occurs during adolescence than at younger ages (Gunnoe & Mariner, 1997). Furthermore, past studies have demonstrated that the level of corporal punishment experienced as a child is directly related to the probability of using physical violence against intimate partners in the future, suggesting that this aggression could translate further than adolescence and into adulthood (Douglas & Straus, 2006; Swinford, DeMaris, Cernkovich, & Giordano, 2000).
Often, elementary school counselors are reluctant to suggest play therapy and have perceived barriers to its efficacy. This study surveyed 259 members of the American School Counselor Association about those barriers to implementing play therapy, and the potential solutions that could be used to overcome any reluctance. The typical barriers are logical: training, administration, time, resources, and space. It is not that the counselors as a whole do not believe in play therapy, it is that they cannot always find appropriate resources to implement the tool. The study raises the awareness that in the contemporary school in which budgets and resources are extremely tight, more training, educating faculty and administrators, and even using alternative or personal funds to purchase play therapy materials are often necessary to help students.
The study revealed that “internalizing symptoms may play an even more important role in predicting delinquency than youths’ level of risk for maltreatment” (Bender et al., 2011, p. 83).
“Many traditional family therapists often exclude small children from the therapeutic process” (Wehrman & Field, 2013). Although therapists may feel as though conducting a session with children present can be challenging, it is strongly encouraged to do so. The integrative intervention model of child-based play is an effective method in which therapists should use when treating families. Recent research concludes that the “integration of children and families involved in counseling will benefit the family when all family members are present” (Wehrman & Field, 2013). Results of this method of therapy provide therapeutic change for families in their communication and relationships.
In other instances, the parent can confiscate the child’s belongings or force the children to strip down naked and be photographed as a form of punishment. Considering the types of abuse that these children experience, there are psychological effects that can affect their life as they get older. The effects of household abuse can extend outside the home and affect the child in their performance in society. “Children Exposed to Domestic Violence” states that children exposed to family violence can experience difficulties in paying attention and staying on task (Geffner 39). Abused children are prone to externalizing problems which causes children to act out. Externalizing problems include temper tantrums, impulsivity, hyperactivity, aggression, conflict, cruelty and bullying. Another issue that abused children develop are internalizing problems. Internalizing problems are issues such as headaches, sleep disturbances, anxiety, fear of separation, social withdraw and depression. This overall causes the children to be less engaged in tasks and in normal behaviors.
Play is a way for children to learn about their environment and how interaction occurs within. It is through trial and error that children are able to create options; follow their own interests and show “independence in thought and actions” using their knowledge and understanding (Moyles, 2005, p.3). Children develop resilience though play. However for a number of children can experience stressful occurrences during their lives and play can often be restricted. Therefore the play worker’s role in supporting children’s play is a crucial measure towards children's development. For those that work with children require the dexterity to prompt and contribute to children’s play, which can be seen as a principle aspect of therapeutic alliance.