This blog is a tool for parents to understand that noncompliance in children is OK. This blog will contain scholarly research to provide knowledge on how common noncompliance is in children, behavioural problems that may impact noncompliance, which parenting styles are clinically the most beneficial for shaping noncompliance and will include helpful media to provide tips and tricks for dealing with noncompliant children.
How Common is Noncompliance in Children?
It has been reported that problems with sleep, elimination and noncompliance are the most common concerns for parents with young children (Ribeiro, et al, 2015). Along with this, 15-25% of trips to the physician are for primary behavioural concerns, including noncompliance (Ribeiro, et al, 2015). Further, parents and or physicians raise concerns for behaviour in 50-80% of paediatric visits (Ribeiro, et al, 2015). With this information, it is safe to say while noncompliance may be a frustration or burden on families, it is relatively common and OK.
Behavioural Problems and Noncompliance
Noncompliance in children is frustrating for many parents, but most of the time noncompliance can be a normal part of childhood development. However, families who feel as though their child is noncompliant more often than not should consider seeing a physician to potentially diagnose a behaviour problem. A common behaviour problem in children is ADHD, which makes following instructions and paying attention very difficult for the child (Milich & Roberts, 2017). ADHD can often lead to noncompliant behaviour, as these children often struggle to follow instructions (Milich & Roberts, 2017). Once diagnosed, a child can be prescribed medication, and the parents will be offered parenting tips to help these children (Milich & Roberts, 2017). This is one of the reasons why having a noncompliant child is OK! While it may just be a fussy kid or a bad day, it could also be a behavioural condition like ADHD, and it is important as a parent to see the positives instead of the negatives!
Parenting Styles
A scholarly paper by Leijten et al, looks at four different parenting styles; praise, verbal reprimands, time-out, and ignore on noncompliant children. The study concluded that of the four parenting styles, ignore and time-out were the most affective in shaping a compliant child (Leijten, et al, 2018). With this information, parent’s can understand that giving a time-out or ignoring their child’s noncompliant behaviour is the best strategy at reshaping a child’s compliance.
How To: A Time-Out
Managing A Child’s Noncompliance
https://www.verywellfamily.com/ways-deal-childs-defiance-non-compliance-1094947
This link is 10 parenting tricks for children who are noncompliant. It focuses on rewarding positive behaviour and setting up a routine for when a child is noncompliant.
The Daily Mail UK- Steps For the Future of Noncompliance and Behavioural Problems in Children
This article from the Daily Mail UK looks at cannabis to help young people with aggressive behaviour. This is a huge step, as it puts children’s behavioural problems in the spotlight. A study looked at 25 mothers of noncompliant children, and the mothers pointed out two behavioural problems they see in their children; normative resistance and extreme aggression (Robson & Kuczynski, 2018). Since all 25 of the mothers noted their child has had extreme aggressions at some point of their noncompliance, it is great that physicians and other healthcare team members are looking at ways to help these children and their families (Robson & Kuczynski, 2018).
It is Ok!
This blog was aimed at helping parents understand children’s noncompliance and letting the parents know that a noncompliant child is OK! If as a parent you feel as though the noncompliance of your child is extreme, seeing your physician should be the first step in figuring out a solution. Giving your child a time-out when they are being noncompliant has shown the most effective in clinical trials. While noncompliance may be a large stressor on you and your family, it is OK and hopefully this blog will assist you and your family with new tips and tricks.
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References
Leijten, P., Gardner, F., Melendez-Torres, G. J., Knerr, W., & Overbeek, G. (2018). Parenting behaviors that
shape child compliance: A multilevel meta-analysis. PLoS ONE, 13(10), [e0204929].
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0204929
Milich, R., & Roberts, W. (2017). ADHD and Behavior Disorders in Children. NOBA,1-22. Retrieved May 18, 2019, from https://press.rebus.community/app/uploads/sites/52/2018/08/ADHD-and-Behavior-Disorders-in-Children.pdf.
Ribeiro, A., Liddon, C. J., Gadaire, D. M., & Kelley, M. E. (2015). Sleep, Elimination, and Noncompliance in Children. Science Direct,247-272. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-420249-8.00011-3Get
Robson, J., & Kuczynski, L. (2018) Deconstructing noncompliance: parental experiences of children’s challenging behaviours in a clinical sample, International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 13:sup1, DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2018.1563432
Noncompliance in Children 