THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MATERNAL LOCUS OF CONTROL AND MATERNAL INVOLVEMENT IN THE DAY TREATMENT OF EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED CHILDREN

The major purpose of the study was to determine the extent of statistical correlation between maternal locus of control and maternal involvment in the day treatment of emotionally disturbed children. A review of pertinent literature strongly suggested that such an association would, indeed, be found: personality traits that were empirically found to exist in association with locus of control were assumed by writers in the field of child welfare to be influential in determining the level of a parent's involvement.; The subjects participating in the study consisted of forty-two mothers of children in one day treatment setting. Fathers of these children were excluded as subjects because of the observation by staff members at the setting that they were largely uninvolved in treatment. The subjects constituted a highly heterogenous group. They shared only three major characteristics in common: they were all female; they were all poor; and they were all assessed as leading unusually stressful and problem-ridden lives. They differed in every other characteristics studied. Furthermore, none of these differences except differences in locus of control orientation were found to be statistically associated with maternal involvement.; The correlation found to exist between locus of control and maternal involvement has this specific meaning: the more internal a mother was found to be in her locus of control orientation, the more likely was she to be involved in the treatment of her child; conversely, the more externally oriented individual was not likely to be involved.; The major focus in discussing implications of the findings for practice was on work with the externally oriented mothers. We do know from the literature review that such people are likely to feel powerless and helpless and to possess personality traits that are considered antithetical to healthy personality functioning. It was speculated that such persons, by and large, could not be effective and successful in childrearing and that their children were likely to evidence difficulties in their own development and functioning.; As the result of the above considerations, a major question for practice emerging from the study was how to facilitate the mother's development of behaviors more conducive to successful personal functioning and effective child rearing--behaviors that have been identified as being associated with an internal locus of control orientation. A major thrust recommended was the engagement of the mother as a full partner with the agency in the provision of services for her child. A theme underlying the suggested treatment approach is the empowerment of the mother, both in her maternal role and in her interaction with the agency, which would be offering her an experience uniquely different than what she has known throughout her life and in other areas of living in the present.; It was recognized that the suggested treatment thrust may require radical changes in agency practice, structure and administration. Yet, considerations of the study for practice support existing experimental evidence that the success of day treatment may remain limited without such maternal empowerment.; Two instruments used in conducting the study have potential usefulness for practice: the Locus of Control Scale for the identification of mothers likely to be relatively uninvolved in the day treatment of their children; the Maternal Involvment Data Collection Form to monitor their involvement as treatment progresses. The use of these forms together and the employment of the suggested strategies for maternal involvement provide the basis for an innovative and promising family-focused practice approach in the field of child welfare.