Person perception processes in child rearing

This study explored perception processes of child rearing. A sample of parents of both special needs and typical children enrolled in preschool child development centres operating in the Vancouver, B. C. Lower Mainland region was asked to complete the Maryland Parent Attitude Scale (MPAS), the Parenting Stress Index (PSI), and a demographic questionnaire. There were no significant correlations found between parental attitudes about child rearing (MPAS) and their perception of their child, parents' perceptions of themselves as parents, or parents' perception of their relationship with their child. As well, there were no significant differences between responses of parents of special needs children and parents of typical children. Post hoc multiple regression analyses however, revealed a number of significant and interesting relationships. Results of the multiple regression analyses showed that fathers' rejecting and mothers' protecting child rearing attitudes decreased as the number of children in their family increased. It was also found that mothers perceived their children and themselves as parents more negatively than fathers. In addition, fathers' occupations as measured by the Blishen index (1987) were positively related to their perceptions of their child. Of particular interest was the outcome that male children were repeatedly viewed more negatively by their parents. As well, parents of sons saw themselves as parents and their relationship with their child more negatively than parents of girls. These results suggest that the psychological and sociological aspects of child rearing and the parent child relationship need to be assessed simultaneously. Although the expectations and cognitions of parents are an important area of study, the importance and integral nature of social, cultural, gender and socioeconomic variables cannot be ignored in formulating hypotheses and designing research in this field.Education, Faculty ofEducational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department ofGraduat