Children's story stem responses: A measure of program impact on developmental risks associated with dysfunctional parenting

Objective: This paper will explore how a new research tool, the MacArthur S tory Stem Battery (MSSB), enables investigations into the interior life of children, its potential usefulness in evaluating effectiveness of intervent ions geared to prevent dysfunctional parenting, and how the method has been adapted for use with low income African American children in the Memphis N ew Mothers Study. Method: A literature review provides justification for assessing children's representations of their parenting experience to evaluate the effectivenes s of an early intervention program. Case examples are used to illustrate ch ildren's representations of themes in narrative responses that are indicati ve of behavioral regulation and dysregulation and specific adaptations for use with African American children. Results: Case examples support the method's application. Conclusions: The story stem technique can play an important role in evaluat ing children's emotion relation, social skills, and early experience in the family. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd.