ISSUES IN CLINICAL-ASSESSMENT OF MINIMAL PARENTING COMPETENCE

Examines clinical and methodological issues inherent in assessing mini mal parenting competence, and considers the implications of these issu es for psychological practice. Issues addressed include (a) differing assumptions about the criteria for judging minimal parenting competenc e, (b) limitations of psychological tests for measuring parenting fitn ess, (c) situational influences on the assessment process, and (d) lim itations in the interpretation of assessment findings for defining ind ividuals or forecasting future behavior. Specific dimensions of assess ment potentially relevant to parenting competence are considered in li ght of research. Four features of the assessment process are recommend ed based on the review: (a) clarification of referral questions, (b) u se of parenting-specific measures, (c) articulation of parenting stren gths and weaknesses, and (d) conservative interpretation and report of findings.