Family-Oriented Program Models, Helpgiving Practices, and Parental Control Appraisals

Abstract

Findings from two studies investigating sources of variations in parents' assessment of helpgiving practices and personal control appraisals are reported. Participants were parents of young children with disabilities or at-risk for poor developmental outcomes. Parents were involved in early intervention and human services programs that differed along a continuum from professionally centered to family focused. Results indicated that demographic characteristics showed no relationship to either helpgiving practices or perceptions of personal control. In contrast, program characteristics were highly related to helpgiving practices, and both program characteristics and helpgiving practices were highly related to personal control.