The evaluation of parental fitness in termination of parental rights cases: a functional-contextual perspective

Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review
Sandra T AzarB V Loding

Abstract

This article highlights issues involved in carrying out evaluations for termination of parental rights cases and suggests caution for mental health professionals doing such evaluations. It argues that current models of parenting that come from the child development and child maltreatment fields are too narrow in their focus to act as a foundation for such evaluations and are often based on research with select groups in our society making them open to bias. Similarly, it is argued that traditional assessment measures are limited in their utility for responding to the kinds of relational and basic care questions asked in such evaluations. A functional-contextual model is offered as an alternative with examples of potentially useful measurement strategies. With such a frame as a starting point, the field might progress to providing more useful information to courts. Future research directions to improve this practice arena are discussed.

Citations

Apr 6, 2006·Child Maltreatment·L Oriana LinaresMinMin Li
Sep 25, 2012·Journal of Intellectual Disability Research : JIDR·S N Proctor, S T Azar
Jul 27, 2012·The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry·Linda CampbellMartin Cohen
Dec 15, 2016·Frontiers in Psychology·Roberta Di Pasquale, Andrea Rivolta
Jan 1, 2008·Infant Mental Health Journal·James J Clark, Ginny Sprang
Jan 1, 2013·Journal of Public Child Welfare·Sandra T AzarStephon Nathanial Proctor
Jul 23, 2011·Scandinavian Journal of Psychology·Guacimara RodríguezBeatriz Triana
Aug 24, 2016·Journal of Interpersonal Violence·Christine A AteahE Jane Ursel
Aug 7, 2020·Journal of Trauma & Dissociation : the Official Journal of the International Society for the Study of Dissociation (ISSD)·Rachel Wamser-Nanney, Julia C Sager
Jul 22, 2006·Journal of Personality Assessment·Rebecca Vauter StrednyJohn A Mason
May 9, 2006·Journal of Marital and Family Therapy·Lenore M McWeySusan N Tice
Nov 28, 2020·Zeitschrift für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie·Jelena Zumbach, Anna Oster
Aug 17, 2017·Current Opinion in Psychology·Chantal Cyr, Lenneke Ra Alink
Dec 11, 2019·Child Abuse & Neglect·Rachel Wamser-Nanney, Claudia L Campbell

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Journal of Family Psychology : JFP : Journal of the Division of Family Psychology of the American Psychological Association (Division 43)
Corina BenjetRegina Kuersten-Hogan
The Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
E RobbinsP Herbert
© 2021 Meta ULC. All rights reserved