Understanding the Influences of Parenting a Child with Oppositional Defiant Disorder on the

137 Pages·2007·0.46 MB·English

by  Jimmy Kyle Myers

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UNDERSTANDING THE INFLUENCES OF PARENTING A CHILD WITH
OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER ON THE MARITAL RELATIONSHIP: A
PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY
by
Jimmy K. Myers
Liberty University Doctoral Student

A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Degree
Doctor of Philosophy

Liberty University
December 2006

i
© Jimmy K. Myers, December 2006
All Rights Reserved

ii
UNDERSTANDING THE INFLUENCES OF PARENTING A CHILD WITH
OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER ON THE MARITAL RELATIONSHIP: A
PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY
By
Jimmy K. Myers
Liberty University Doctoral Student
Has been approved
December 2006

APPROVED:
JOHN C. THOMAS, Ph.D., Ph.D., Faculty Chair
GENE MASTIN, Ph.D., Committee Member
JAESOOK GHO, Ph.D., Committee Member

ACCEPTED AND SIGNED:
_______________________________
JOHN C. THOMAS, Ph.D., Ph.D.

_______________________________
GENE MASTIN, Ph.D.

_______________________________
JAESOOK GHO, Ph.D.

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Abstract
Using a phenomenological framework this qualitative study explored the experience of
parenting a child with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and its influence on the
marital relationship. Eight intact married couples with children previously diagnosed
with ODD were interviewed to assess each couple’s communication, non-sexual and
sexual intimacy, conflict management, conflict avoidance, parenting disagreement related
conflict, religious faith and practice, and social/recreational activities as it related to
parenting an ODD child. The results of the study confirmed that the couples perceived
several negative effects which included disagreement over parenting, being critical of or
blaming spouse for parenting difficulties, increased stress levels, disruption of religious
faith or practice, poor communication, reduction of sexual and nonsexual intimacy,
restricted social activity, and increased levels of resentment. The couple’s identified
three positive effects that included being forced to “be on the same page,” being better
parents for the other children in the home, and strengthening of religious faith.

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This dissertation is dedicated to my wife Elizabeth. She has been a constant source of
love, acceptance, and encouragement in my life, no matter what journey I have chosen to
undertake. She has worked tirelessly to support our family, affording me the luxury of
pursuing my education. Nothing in my life that is, could be, without her. I would
literally be a ship lost at sea without her abiding presence being my true north, my
guiding star.

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Table of Contents
Dedication.............................................................................................................v
Table of Contents................................................................................................ix

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION..............................................................................1-10
Introduction of the Problem..................................................................................1
Statement of Problem........................................................................................1-2
Purpose of the Study.............................................................................................2
Significance of the Study..................................................................................2-3
Assumptions Contained in the Study................................................................3-4
Definition of Terms...........................................................................................4-6
Qualitative Limitations of the Study.................................................................6-7
Role and Background of Researcher.................................................................7-9
Organization of the Remainder of the Study......................................................10

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW.................................................................11-22
Theoretical Reference of Researcher........................................................................11-12
Parent’s Impact on Children’s Behavior...................................................................12-18
Timing of the Parent’s Impact............................................................................15
Trans-generational Aspect............................................................................15-16
Divorce and Separation.......................................................................................16
Self-fulfilling Prophecy................................................................................16-17
The Mother’s Special Influence....................................................................17-18
vi
Environmental Influences on Children’s Behavior.......................................18-19
A Child’s Influence on the Parents...............................................................19-20
The Influences of Stress on the Marital Relationship...................................20-21
The Research Question for this Study..........................................................21-22
Summary.............................................................................................................22

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY...........................................................................23-33
Introduction.........................................................................................................23
Design of Study.............................................................................................23-24
Rationale for Design.....................................................................................25-26
Participants....................................................................................................26-27
The Semi-structured Interviews..........................................................................27
Study Procedures................................................................................................28
Data Organization.........................................................................................28-32
Ethical Consideration....................................................................................32-33
Summary.............................................................................................................33

CHAPTER 4: PRESENTATION OF DATA..........................................................34-80
Introduction...................................................................................................34-35
How Data Were Gathered and Recorded............................................................35
Review of Research Question.......................................................................35-36
The Researcher’s Own Experience with the Phenomenon...........................36-37
The Lived Experience of Each Couple.........................................................37-78
vii
The Story of Couple 1.......................................................................37-42
The Story of Couple 2.......................................................................42-46
The Story of Couple 3…...................................................................46-49
The Story of Couple 4.......................................................................50-54
The Story of Couple 5.......................................................................54-61
The Story of Couple 6.......................................................................62-67
The Story of Couple 7.......................................................................67-72
The Story of Couple 8.......................................................................72-78
How Participant Stories Relate to the Research Question..................................79
Summary.......................................................................................................79-80

CHAPTER 5: INTERPRETATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS...................81-112
Introduction.........................................................................................................81
Interpretation of Findings...........................................................................81-102
Common Attitudes and Actions of the Participating Husbands.......82-86
Common Attitudes and Actions of the Participating Wives.............87-91
Observations on ODD Based on Couple Interviews.........................91-92
Perceived Negative Effects of Parenting an ODD child on the Marriage
Relationship......................................................................................92-99
Perceived Positive Effects of Parenting an ODD Child on the Marriage
Relationship....................................................................................99-102
Discrepant and Non-conforming Data......................................................102-103
viii
Structures of the Experience.....................................................................103-105
Implications for Counseling Couples with Children Diagnosed ODD……….105
Recommendations for Further Research...................................................106-108
Relationship with Previous Research…………………………………………108
Reflection of Researcher’s Own Experience............................................108-111
Summary...................................................................................................111-112

REFERENCES.....................................................................................................113-119

APPENDICES......................................................................................................120-127
A. Participant Informed Consent.............................................................120-122
B. Interview Outlines...............................................................................123-127

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Parenting ODD 1

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Introduction of the Problem
As a licensed professional counselor that specializes in working with adolescents,
I regularly deal with teenagers with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). My clinical
work has given me a unique position to see how this disorder creates havoc in the home.
This disorder influences a teen’s relationship with parents, siblings, teachers, and most
authority figures the teen encounters. But one of the major impacts I witness in my
practice is the influence of this disorder on the marriage relationship of the teen’s parents.
This study explored the lived experience of parenting an ODD child and to
understand the influences on the marital relationship of the parents. Much of the existent
literature had focused on the parent’s actions having a negative influence on the life of a
child, but few studies had examined the opposite, namely, how the child’s aberrant
behavior may influence the marital relationship of the parents. Although other research
(Ben-David & Lavee, 1996;Benzies, Harrison, & Magill-Evans, 2004; Morokoff &
Gillilland, 1993) has focused upon the negative effects of life stresses on a marriage
relationship, this study investigated the essence of parenting an ODD child and revealed
the influences, both positive or negative, on the marriage relationship.

Statement of the Problem
Buehler and Gerard (2002) reported that ample research supports the contention
that poor marital relationships have an adverse influence on a child’s behavior. They