The effects of behavioural parent training groups on parenting stress and sense of competence were investigated. Subjects were 91 families of ADDH preschoolers who participated in one of two randomized control studies that demonstrated the efficacy of group parent training in the amelioration of child noncompliance. Compared to parents awaiting treatment, parents who completed training reported significant improvements on the Parenting Stress Index (PSI) Parent Domain, and both Skills and Valuing subscales of the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale (PSCS) immediately after treatment and three months later. Intercorrelations among the self-report measures as well as their relationships with other variables were examined. Significant correlations were found between improvements on the PSCS Skills and Valuing subscales. Improvement on the PSCS Valuing subscale was also associated with decreases in the PSI Parent Domain. Improvements on the PSI Child Domain and PSCS Valuing subscale were significantly correlated with parents 1 perceptions of improvement in their children's behaviour. No significant correlations were found between self-report improvements and observed changes in parent or child behaviour or parental compliance to treatment. The results indicated that group parent training had a positive impact on parenting stress and sense of competence. These changes were independent of improvements in actual parent and child behaviour assessed in the clinic.

Despite the early onset of attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADDH), there is a dearth of treatment studies with preschoolers with this disorder. Forty-six families with ADDH preschoolers were randomly assigned to either an immediate or a delayed group parent training program aimed at improving child compliance. Groups were balanced on demographic variables. Treatment outcome was evaluated by comparing the groups at pre- and posttreatment and 3-month follow-up on measures of parent-child interactions during free play, a compliance task, and parent-supervised activities, as well as on parent-completed Conners Hyperkinesis Index scores. Positive treatment effect was obtained on measures of compliance, parental style of interaction, and management skills. These improvements were maintained at 3-month follow-up. Evaluation of treatment effects on nontargeted child behaviors indicated no generalization.

The efficacy of group parent training was assessed in improving compliance and time on task in preschoolers with attention-deficit disorder with hyperactivity. Positive effects were obtained on measures of child compliance, but not on measures of attention. Parental compliance-management skills and overall style of interaction were also positively affected. The use of parent training for early intervention with ADDH children is discussed.

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