Covariations between mothers' responsiveness and their use of “do” and “don't” instructions: Implications for child behavior therapy

Fifty-two clinic-referred (20) and volunteer (32) mother-child dyads were observed in their home settings for 1 hour per dyad. Observers monitored the mothers' responsiveness during interactions with their children, and mothers' use of “do” and “don't” instructions were recorded; the children's compliance with instructions was also recorded, as well as their negative responses directed to mothers. Results showed the expected differences between clinic-referred and volunteer dyads, with the former mothers being less responsive and more inclined to issue “don't” instructions; the clinic-referred children were less compliant and more negative. All children were less compliant with “don't” instructions than “do” and, as expected, mothers' responsiveness scores were positively correlated with their use of “do” instructions in both groups. There was evidence that use of these instructions mediated the high correlation between mothers' responsiveness and their children's compliance.