PARENTAL PERCEPTIONS OF HELP-GIVING PRACTICES AND CONTROL APPRAISALS IN EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAMS

Sources of variations in parents' assessment of help-giving practices and perceived control appraisals were investigated. Participants inclu ded 69 parents of children, birth to age 5, with disabilities or at ri sk for poor developmental outcomes. Results indicated that parent and family characteristics showed no relationship to either help-giving pr actices or perceptions of personal control and self-efficacy. In, cont rast, program characteristics and help-giving practices were highly as sociated with the degree to which parents indicated they had control o ver needed services, resources, and supports. Implications for improvi ng helping relationships are discussed.