Is a Preventive Parenting Program Effective in Reducing a Child's Externalizing Behavior?

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Kuschel, Annett | Heinrichs, Nina | Hahlweg, Kurt

Note: [] Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Dr. Annett Kuschel, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Georgenstr. 36, 10117 Berlin, Germany, email: kuschela@staff.hu-berlin.de

Abstract: The aim of this randomized controlled study is to explore the long-term efficacy of the widely used Triple P parent group training as a universal prevention intervention. 280 families with children between 3 and 6 years participated (N=l86 Triple P, N=94 control group). A multi-method assessment was conducted pre, post and one to four years after the initial assessment. To assess DSM-IV oppositional defiant disorder parents rated symptom criteria using the German CD rating scale FBB-SSV. In the long term there were small positive effect sizes for externalizing behavior. A decrease of 5.2% in prevalence rates in the Triple P group was observed. Implications are discussed, particularly for the dissemination of effective universal prevention programs.

Keywords: prevention, parenting program, externalizing problem behavior, childhood

DOI: 10.3233/DEV-2009-3308

Journal: International Journal of Developmental Science, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 299-303, 2009