[Attitude change toward child abuse after educating behavioral intention model to mothers referred to Falavarjan health homes in 2007-2008]

ABSTRACT

Parents' attitude toward parenting styles is one of the factors that affect how they treat their children. Through enhancing the knowledge, educational interventions can moderate such attitudes. Studying new health educational models is essential for improving the traditional ones. The purpose of this study was to assess mothers' attitude toward child abuse before and after educating the behavioral intention model. This was a quasi-experimental single group before and after study. The sample consisted of 45 mothers with a child abusive attitude randomly selected among the referees to one of the Falavarjan health homes. The Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory [AAPI] questionnaire was used to assess their attitude toward parenting style. Data was analyzed using t-paired test via SPSS soft ware. Comparison of pretest and post test scores using paired samples t test indicated statistically significant improvement in attitudes whole mean scores [p < 0.001]. The findings indicate that educating parents may change their attitude toward proper parenting style. Such educations may result in better parenting behaviors and fewer instances of child abuse and neglect