The effects of a rural parent education program on parenting stress, perceived social support, parental locus of control, and parental efficacy [electronic resource] /

by Cole, Janie M.

THE EFFECTS OF A RURAL PARENT EDUCATION PROGRAM ON PARENTING STRESS, PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT, PARENTAL LOCUS OF CONTROL, AND PARENTAL EFFICACY Janie M. Cole This project was a pilot study examining the effects of a rural parent education program on parenting stress, perceived social support, parental locus of control, and parental efficacy. The sample consisted of a group of six mothers in West Virginia. The variables were tested using the Parenting Stress Index, Perceived Social Support from Friends Index and two subscales, Parental Efficacy and Belief in Fate and Chance, from the Parental Locus of Control Scale. Using Cronbach’s alpha, the Parental Efficacy Subscale and all but one subscale of the Parenting Stress Index were found to be reliable with this small sample. Analysis was done using paired samples t tests to determine changes in pre- and posttest mean scores. A significant decrease in parent/child dysfunctional interaction, a subscale of the Parenting Stress Index, and a marginal decrease in the Parental Belief in Fate and Chance subcale of the Parental Locus of Control Scale were found.