UNDERSTANDING THE INFLUENCES OF PARENTING A CHILD WITH OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER ON THE MARITAL RELATIONSHIP: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY by Jimmy K. Myers Liberty University Doctoral Student A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy Liberty University December 2006 i © Jimmy K. Myers, December 2006 All Rights Reserved ii UNDERSTANDING THE INFLUENCES OF PARENTING A CHILD WITH OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER ON THE MARITAL RELATIONSHIP: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY By Jimmy K. Myers Liberty University Doctoral Student Has been approved December 2006 APPROVED: JOHN C. THOMAS, Ph.D., Ph.D., Faculty Chair GENE MASTIN, Ph.D., Committee Member JAESOOK GHO, Ph.D., Committee Member ACCEPTED AND SIGNED: _______________________________ JOHN C. THOMAS, Ph.D., Ph.D. _______________________________ GENE MASTIN, Ph.D. _______________________________ JAESOOK GHO, Ph.D. iii Abstract Using a phenomenological framework this qualitative study explored the experience of parenting a child with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and its influence on the marital relationship. Eight intact married couples with children previously diagnosed with ODD were interviewed to assess each couple’s communication, non-sexual and sexual intimacy, conflict management, conflict avoidance, parenting disagreement related conflict, religious faith and practice, and social/recreational activities as it related to parenting an ODD child. The results of the study confirmed that the couples perceived several negative effects which included disagreement over parenting, being critical of or blaming spouse for parenting difficulties, increased stress levels, disruption of religious faith or practice, poor communication, reduction of sexual and nonsexual intimacy, restricted social activity, and increased levels of resentment. The couple’s identified three positive effects that included being forced to “be on the same page,” being better parents for the other children in the home, and strengthening of religious faith. iv This dissertation is dedicated to my wife Elizabeth. She has been a constant source of love, acceptance, and encouragement in my life, no matter what journey I have chosen to undertake. She has worked tirelessly to support our family, affording me the luxury of pursuing my education. Nothing in my life that is, could be, without her. I would literally be a ship lost at sea without her abiding presence being my true north, my guiding star. v Table of Contents Dedication.............................................................................................................v Table of Contents................................................................................................ ix CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION.............................................................................. 1-10 Introduction of the Problem..................................................................................1 Statement of Problem........................................................................................ 1-2 Purpose of the Study.............................................................................................2 Significance of the Study.................................................................................. 2-3 Assumptions Contained in the Study................................................................ 3-4 Definition of Terms........................................................................................... 4-6 Qualitative Limitations of the Study................................................................. 6-7 Role and Background of Researcher................................................................. 7-9 Organization of the Remainder of the Study ......................................................10 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................. 11-22 Theoretical Reference of Researcher........................................................................ 11-12 Parent’s Impact on Children’s Behavior................................................................... 12-18 Timing of the Parent’s Impact ............................................................................15 Trans-generational Aspect ............................................................................ 15-16 Divorce and Separation.......................................................................................16 Self-fulfilling Prophecy ................................................................................ 16-17 The Mother’s Special Influence.................................................................... 17-18 vi Environmental Influences on Children’s Behavior....................................... 18-19 A Child’s Influence on the Parents ............................................................... 19-20 The Influences of Stress on the Marital Relationship................................... 20-21 The Research Question for this Study .......................................................... 21-22 Summary.............................................................................................................22 CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY ........................................................................... 23-33 Introduction.........................................................................................................23 Design of Study............................................................................................. 23-24 Rationale for Design ..................................................................................... 25-26 Participants.................................................................................................... 26-27 The Semi-structured Interviews..........................................................................27 Study Procedures ................................................................................................28 Data Organization ......................................................................................... 28-32 Ethical Consideration.................................................................................... 32-33 Summary.............................................................................................................33 CHAPTER 4: PRESENTATION OF DATA .......................................................... 34-80 Introduction................................................................................................... 34-35 How Data Were Gathered and Recorded............................................................35 Review of Research Question....................................................................... 35-36 The Researcher’s Own Experience with the Phenomenon........................... 36-37 The Lived Experience of Each Couple ......................................................... 37-78 vii The Story of Couple 1....................................................................... 37-42 The Story of Couple 2....................................................................... 42-46 The Story of Couple 3…................................................................... 46-49 The Story of Couple 4....................................................................... 50-54 The Story of Couple 5....................................................................... 54-61 The Story of Couple 6....................................................................... 62-67 The Story of Couple 7....................................................................... 67-72 The Story of Couple 8....................................................................... 72-78 How Participant Stories Relate to the Research Question..................................79 Summary....................................................................................................... 79-80 CHAPTER 5: INTERPRETATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS................... 81-112 Introduction.........................................................................................................81 Interpretation of Findings ........................................................................... 81-102 Common Attitudes and Actions of the Participating Husbands ....... 82-86 Common Attitudes and Actions of the Participating Wives............. 87-91 Observations on ODD Based on Couple Interviews......................... 91-92 Perceived Negative Effects of Parenting an ODD child on the Marriage Relationship ...................................................................................... 92-99 Perceived Positive Effects of Parenting an ODD Child on the Marriage Relationship .................................................................................... 99-102 Discrepant and Non-conforming Data...................................................... 102-103 viii Structures of the Experience ..................................................................... 103-105 Implications for Counseling Couples with Children Diagnosed ODD……….105 Recommendations for Further Research................................................... 106-108 Relationship with Previous Research…………………………………………108 Reflection of Researcher’s Own Experience ............................................ 108-111 Summary................................................................................................... 111-112 REFERENCES ....................................................................................................