Parent training for families with mentally retarded children

The aim of this research was to explore family’s relationships in order to gain a fuller understanding of the parent-child interaction processes. It was experimented a parent training aimed at: a) modifying parents’ mistaken beliefs on mental retardation and children’s behavioral problems; b) reducing their stress; c) increasing their parental self-efficacy, shaping parenting skills and better parent-child interactions. 14 couples of parents with mentally retarded children aged between 5 and 8 were tested. Only half of these families had already completed the parent training. The experimental group was trained to learned behavioral and educational techniques for child management. The control group was not trained. The results proved the parent training efficacy. Compared to control group, the experimental parents showed significant changes in perception of their children problems, a lower stress level and greater parental competences.