Date of Conferral

7-21-2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Chet Lesniak

Abstract

Low parental engagement—especially among fathers and ethnic minority groups like Latinx parents—in child psychotherapy increases the risk of treatment dropout, behavioral issues, and poorer outcomes, contributing to persistent disparities. More research was needed on perceptual barriers and facilitators to parental engagement such as attitudes, beliefs, and expectations. The purpose of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of parents’ experiences with their child’s psychotherapy and mental illness to facilitate parental engagement in services that support the child. An interpretative phenomenological approach and multiperspectival focus group design were used to illuminate each participant’s voice and explore overarching themes. Hill’s theory of family adaptation to stress and Bowen’s theory of family systems provided a lens for understanding how perceptual factors might function within relational, environment, and individual processes. Eight parents with a child aged 5 to 18 who had been in therapeutic services for a suspected or diagnosed mental illness participated in focus group interviews. Fathers were not recruited; this limitation and corresponding suggestions will be discussed. The results show that mothers need more guidance, communication, and psychoeducation to effectively engage in therapy. Empowerment and building self-efficacy are critical, along with therapist qualities like reassurance, cultural competence, and mediation skills. Many mothers, especially Latinx mothers, experience low social support and face cultural barriers and stigma around mental health. These findings can foster positive social change by helping therapists develop strategies to boost parental engagement and improve treatment outcomes for families.

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