Effectiveness of a parent training program in (pre)adolescence: Evidence from a randomized controlled trial

• Published in: Journal of adolescence (London, England.) Vol. 35; no. 4; pp. 833 - 842
• Main Authors: Leijten, Patty, Overbeek, Geertjan, Janssens, Jan M.A.M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2012; Elsevier; John Wiley & Sons, Inc
• Subjects: (Pre)adolescence; Adolescent; Adolescents; Adult; Attrition; Behavior; Behavior Problems; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child Behavior - psychology; Child behavior problems; Children; Children & youth; Clinical trials; Communication; Conflict; Conflict (Psychology); Discipline; Education - methods; Evidence; Family psychotherapy. Systemic therapy; Female; Humans; Intervention; Male; Medical Research; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Parent Child Relationship; Parent Education; Parent Training; Parent-Child Relations; Parenting; Parenting - psychology; Parenting Skills; Parents; Parents & parenting; Pediatrics; Problem Solving; Program Effectiveness; Psychology, Adolescent - education; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Psychotherapies. Psychological and clinical counseling; Punishment; Randomized controlled trial; Randomized Controlled Trials; Skills; Socioeconomic Status; Training; Treatments; Parenting; Parent training; Child behavior problems; Randomized controlled trial; (Pre)adolescence; Human; Parental behavior; Socioeconomic status; Treatment efficiency; Controlled therapeutic trial; Preadolescent; Parent child relation; Behavioral disorder; Sociodemographic factor; Social interaction; Family environment; Problem solving; Communication
• ISSN: 0140-1971; 1095-9254
• DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2011.11.009

Abstract The present randomized controlled trial examined the effectiveness of the parent training program Parents and Children Talking Together (PCTT) for parents with children in the preadolescent period who experience parenting difficulties. The program is focused on reducing child problem behavior by improving parents’ communication and problem solving skills, and disciplining behavior. Largest effects were expected for families with higher SES, and with children in mid-adolescence. Multi-informant and multi-method data were used from 78 self-referred families with children aged 9–16 ( M = 13.09, SD = 1.75). Intention-to-treat analysis (retention rate 95%; immediate posttest only) showed that participation in PCTT significantly improved parents' communication and problem solving skills ( F (1,70) = 11.77, p < 0.01 and F (1,70) = 12.87, p < 0.01), and reduced their dysfunctional disciplining behavior in conflict situations ( F (1,70) = 5.25, p < .0.05). The PCTT intervention was most effective for parents with higher SES and for parents with children between the ages of 14 and 16. No consistent gender effects were found.