Kathryn barnard theory

Running head: THE PARENT-CHILD INTERACTION MODEL !1

The Parent-Child Interaction Model

Student Name

Florida National University

THE PARENT-CHILD INTERACTION MODEL !2

Abstract

The present paper provides an analytical review of Kathryn E. Barnard’s parent-child

interaction model. The purpose is to define the main concepts of the discussed theory and

identify its connection to the author’s credentials. Moreover, the goal is to explore

applicability of the parent-child model within maternal health care setting by defining its

contribution to the research and practice in nursing. The given analysis bases on the recent

studies that provide conceptual insights developed by Barnard. In particular, this paper

discusses the applicability of Barnard’s Feeding Scale. Moreover, it derives examples from

studies of mother-child interactions at early childhood under stressful conditions of the

repetitive separation and reunion. In addition, the paper provides examples obtained from a

study that focuses on adapting to environmental factors while developing maternal identity. It

is detected that Barnard’s parent-child interaction model has considerable implacability for in

the planes of research and practice.

THE PARENT-CHILD INTERACTION MODEL !3

Key words: Barnard’s parent-child interaction model, adaptation, maternal identity, Barnard’s

Feeding Scale, maternal healthcare.

The Parent-Child Interaction Model

Introduction

Kathryn E. Barnard was the person who developed the parent-child interaction model

in 1978. This model emerged as a result of Barnard’s scholarly and practical performance. In

other words, this scholar had strong credentials in the field of early child development.

Specifically, Barnard has received her master’s degree in nursing along with the certificate of

Advanced Graduate Specialization in Nursing Education (Masters, 2015).This was the first

THE PARENT-CHILD INTERACTION MODEL !4

step to becoming a teacher of nursing. After graduation, Barnard became a teacher of

maternal healthcare. To be more precise, she specialized in child and mother healthcare.

The parent-child interaction model suggests the three planes: a child, a mother, and

the environment; beginning from the woman’s pregnancy, these three fields overlap and

influence one another. In order to ensure successful interaction within these overlapping

circles, mother needs to modify constantly her mentality to meet and cope with the changes

and challenges of the other planes. The same refers to a child: the process of development

means the need for constant adjustment and re-adjustment (adaptation) to external stimuli.

Simultaneously with the development of a child’s psyche, it is necessary to adjust his or her

internal stimuli to the external factors. However, this process is ongoing and highly volatile

due to constant accommodation to the variables that alter within the time.

Reviewing parent-child-environment interactions, one should stress that the plane

‘parent’ refers to a concept of a caregiver in general. In other words, there are cases, when

interactions between a child, environment, and a parent include a father or other significant

person as the main care-giver. Hence, it is clear that in the prevailing majority of cases, this

model implies interaction between a child and a mother. According to the discussed theory,

the interaction of these three systems depends on the unique characteristics of each plane. To

be more precise, Kathryn E. Barnard educates that the main characteristics of a child “include

physical appearance, temperament, feeding and sleeping patterns, and self-

regulation” (Masters, 2015, p. 274). At the same time, the important assets of a care-giver

include a range of bio-psycho-social qualities that are being constantly changed to adapt to a

child’s needs and environmental factors, simultaneously causing a child’s system to

accommodate accordingly.

THE PARENT-CHILD INTERACTION MODEL !5

Finally, the environmental factors include socio-economic factors (financial well-

being, social roles, educational healthcare establishments, religion, politics, cultural events,

etc.). The role of a nurse is to help a mother set realistic expectations, develop a positive

maternal identity, and connect to benevolent environmental factors. This complex purpose

prepares favorable conditions for healthy child’s development and growth, provides a care-

giver with pleasure from parental interactions, and delivers healthy members to social

environment.

Relevance

Personal Relevance

Striving to continue ongoing improvement of professional skills, this scholar headed a

research project that was aimed to develop the method of assessment of early childhood

development and well-being. In overall, Barnard participated in 22 scientific studies

(Masters, 2015). Further, she would become a professor in child-parent nursing. Scholarly

activity strongly related to collecting practical evidence. In particular, the scholar provided

consultations, conducted public lectures, and released a number of academic publications that

related to the maternal healthcare and early child development (Masters, 2015). In addition,

she was working with mentally impaired children, which resulted in gaining considerable

experience from delivering patient-centered care. Barnard acquired enough first-hand

evidence to make an assumption about the importance of child-mother-environment

interactions (Masters, 2015). Further, that assumption turned into conceptual patterns that

took a place in the field of nurse science as the theory of parent-child interaction.

Relevance to Healthcare and the Client Discussed

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The name of the theory itself implies the population that Barnard addressed. The

parent-child interaction model functions to deliver patient-centered and evidence-based

maternal health care as well as ensures that early child development occurs at a normal rate in

positive conditions. In order to provide a particular example showing how this scientific

theory serves the purpose of collecting the new evidence about mother-child interactions, and

according to these observations, increases the quality of maternal healthcare, one should refer

to the Barnard’s Feeding Scale (BFS). Beel-Bates et al. (2012) conducted a study that aimed

at tracking mealtime interactions between a care-giver and a child. To measure the level of

development of maternal identity and its relevance to the stage of a child’s growth, the

scholars applied to the Barnard’s Feeding Scale.