Giving Voice to Parents of Young Children with Challenging Behavior

Abstract

This study gave voice to parents raising young children with challenging behavior using a qualitative, phenomenological approach. Seven families raising children between the ages of 25 and 43 months participated in a series of interviews. The children's primary diagnoses varied, but all children exhibited challenging behaviors such as noncompliance, self-injury, tantrums, excessive crying, and property destruction. Results showed that parents' experiences could be grouped into 5 major themes: (a) obtaining accurate and useful information, (b) obtaining services and supports, (c) financial stress, (d) stress among members of the family, and (e) community isolation. Implications for changes to systems of care for young children with challenging behaviors and their families are discussed.