Copyright is owned by the Author of the thesis. Permission is given for a copy to be downloaded by an individual for the purpose of research and private study only. The thesis may not be reproduced elsewhere without the permission of the Author. A Narrative Inquiry into Primary Caregivers’ Understanding of their Child’s Psychological Assessment A thesis presented in partial fulfilment for the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts In Psychology At Massey University, Albany, Auckland, New Zealand. Jessica Niemand 2010 ii Abstract This study explores the ways in which primary caregivers experience the process of having their child psychologically assessed. The research uses a narrative methodology to explore the accounts of seven participants who have supported their child through a process of psychological assessment. Caregivers were interviewed and their interviews were transcribed and analysed by outlining the sequential order of events and the main themes of each of the participants’ narratives. Individual stories were then combined to present the overarching themes that emerged from the study. The main themes include the following: suspected “diagnosis” and own expertise, seeing “inside” the child, bittersweet labels, questions of guilt and blame, the “good parent”, the distant professionals, problems with communication, challenging the system, inadequate measures, over-assessed, caregiver as the defender and advocate and the helpful professional. This research contributes to the limited literature on client’s perspectives of psychological intervention and is intended to improve clinicians understanding of this area. Keywords: caregivers, assessment process, experience, perspective, child iii Acknowledgements I would like to thank my supervisors, Kerry Gibson, Kerry Chamberlain and Bev Haarhoff for their support and encouragement through the writing of this thesis. Their input has been invaluable and I have always appreciated their enthusiasm in the project. I also wish to thank the participants in my study who took the time to share their stories with me and contribute to my research. Finally, I would like to acknowledge my family who have been a constant support and encouragement to me during this year and every year leading up to this point. iv Table of Contents CHAPTER PAGE 1. Introduction and Literature Review 1 Common Psychological Problems Amongst Children 1 Psychological Assessments from the Clinician’s Perspective 3 Child Assessment in New Zealand 5 Discourses in which Psychological Assessment is embedded 8 Eurocentric Discourses relevant to the Psychological 9 Assessment of Children Discourses around childhood 9 Discourses around childhood development 10 Discourses around intellectual functioning 11 Discourses around appropriate behaviour 12 Discourses around family relationships 13 Discourses around children’s social relationships 14 Discourses around emotional development 15 Laypeople’s Potential Views on Psychological Assessment 16 Aims and Rationale of this Research 17 Summary 18 2. Methodology and Method 20 Theoretical Framework of the Research 20 Qualitative Research 20 Social Constructionism 20 Methodology – Narrative theory 22 Methodology 22 What is Narrative? 22 Narratives in Context 23 The Functions of Narratives 23 Characteristics of Narratives 24 Multiple Interpretations of Narratives 25 Narrative Research 25 Narrative Analysis 25 Issues of Generalisability, Validity and Reliability 26 v Reflexivity 28 Personal Reflexivity 28 Ethical Considerations 29 Method 31 Participants 31 Procedure 32 Interviews 32 Questions 33 Critique of Interviews 34 Transcribing 35 Data Analysis 36 Analysis 36 Summary 37 3. Participant Narratives 38 Anne: Gathering Ammunition 38 Mary: “Total Faith” 42 Kate: The Pursuit of ‘Normality’ 44 Amy: In the Dark 49 Emma: Guarding the Gates to a Heart 54 Mark: Action Plans 62 Jenna: Second Opinions 66 4. General Themes Analysis 71 Suspected “Diagnosis” and Own Expertise 71 Seeing “Inside” the Child 74 Bittersweet Labels 76 Questions of Guilt and Blame 81 The “Good Parent” 84 The Distant Professional 85 Problems with Communication 89 Challenging the System 92 Inadequate Measures 93 The Over-Assessed Child 95 The Caregiver as the Defender and Advocate 97 The Helpful Professional 100 vi 5. Discussion and Suggestions for Future Research and Practice 102 Similar Narrative Groups 102 General Findings and Implications for Practice 103 Future Research 110 Challenge 111 Conclusion 111 References 113 Appendices 128 Appendix A Information Sheet 128 Appendix B Participant Consent Form 133 Appendix C Letter of Invitation 136 Appendix D Interview Guidelines 137