A Controlled Clinical Evaluation of the Parents Plus Children’s Programme: A Video-based Programme for Parents of Children Aged 6 to 11 with Behavioural and Developmental Problems

Abstract

This article describes the development and the clinic-based evaluation of the Parents Plus Children's Programme (PPCP), a group-based video-modelling-assisted programme for parents of children aged 6 to 11 referred to a Child Mental Health Service with significant behavioural problems both with and without associated developmental difficulties. In evaluating the programme, a sequential block design was used to assign 74 parents of children referred to the service to the PPCP group (n = 42) or the Treatment as Usual (TAU) Comparison Group (n = 32). Assessment took place before and immediately following the 8-week intervention for both groups and at 5-month follow-up for the PPCP Group. Compared to the TAU Group postprogramme, the PPCP Group displayed significant reductions in total difficulties and conduct problems as measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, decreased parental stress, increased parental confidence and significant improvements in parent-defined problems and goals. These positive changes were maintained at 5-month follow-up for the PPCP group, in addition to further significant improvements in peer problems and prosocial behaviour. The analysis also suggests that the programme is more effective for parents of children with behavioural problems only, than for those with associated developmental difficulties. The strengths and limitations of the study are discussed, as well as the difficulties of conducting practice-based research.

Effects of parent management training programs on disruptive behavior for children with a developmental disability: A meta-analysis

“…The first type, efficacy studies, has studied the effects of PMT when the child has a developmental disability. Such studies include the effect of PMT on parental mental health and/or parenting skills (Tonge et al, 2006;Todd et al, 2010;Davidson, 2011;Gammon & Rose, 1991;Neff, 2012;Niccols & Mohamed, 2000); or child outcomes (Drew et al, 2002); or parent and child outcomes (Chadwick, Momčilović , Rossiter, Stumbles, & Taylor, 2001;Coughlin, Sharry, Fitzpatrick, Guerin, & Drumm, 2009;Feldman & Werner, 2002;Fujiwara, Kato, & Sanders, 2011;Griffin, Guerin, Sharry, & Drumm, 2010;Hand, Raghallaigh, Cuppage, Coyle, & Sharry, 2013;Hudson et al, 2003;McIntyre, 2008aMcIntyre, , 2008bResearch Units on Pediatric Psychopharmacology [RUPP] Autism Network, 2007;Roberts & Pickering, 2010;Quinn, Carr, Carroll, & O'Sullivan, 2006;Tellegen & Sanders, 2014;Whittingham, Sofronoff, Sheffield, & Sanders, 2009). The second type are systematic and literature reviews which also have been conducted on PMT programs for children with a developmental disability (Brookman-Frazee et al, 2006;Gavidia-Payne & Hudson, 2002;Hastings, Robertson, & Yasamy, 2012;Matson et al, 2009;Roberts et al, 2003;Singer, Ethridge, & Aldana, 2007), and review the outcomes of efficacy studies.…”

“…The sessions also include group discussions and assigned homework (Quinn et al, 2007). Two types of Parents Plus Programmes evaluated in this meta-analysis -Children's Programme (Coughlin et al, 2009;Quinn et al, 2007) for children ages 6-12 years of age, and a modified version of the Children's Programme, adapted to accommodate children with a developmental disability, examined by Hand, Raghallaigh, et al (2013).…”

“…Child age The moderator effect of child age was examined. The mean age of children assessed ranged from 4.11 (McIntyre, 2008b) to 8.54 years (Coughlin et al, 2009).…”

“…There are three versions of the SDQparent report, teacher report and child/adolescent report. The parent version of the SDQ was used in three studies (Coughlin et al, 2009;Hand, McDonnell, Honari, & Sharry, 2013;Hand, Raghallaigh, et al, 2013;Quinn et al, 2007).…”

Parenting groups, how long is enough? The efficacy of a community-run Parents Plus Early Years Program as a preschool parenting intervention of modifiable duration

“…A number of studies have shown that the Parents Plus Programs are effective in reducing childhood behavior problems and associated parental stress in clinical settings for a variety of age groups (e.g., Behan, Fitzpatrick, Sharry, Carr, & Waldron, 2001;Coughlin, Sharry, Fitzpatrick, Guerin, & Drumm, 2009;Quinn, Carr, Carroll, & O'Sullivan, 2007). In particular, the PPEY Program has been shown to reduce conduct problems, hyperactivity, and parental stress and to help parents move significantly closer to their goals when conducted in a clinical setting by mental health professionals (Griffin, Guerin, Sharry, & Drumm, 2010); however, many parents display limited attendance with clinic-based programs and are less likely to complete treatment (Kazdin, Mazurick, & Bass, 1993), with some parents reporting feeling stigma attached to attending child and adolescent mental health services (Bradby et al, 2007).…”