Brief Parenting Interventions for Children at Risk of Externalizing Behavior Problems: A Systematic Review

Abstract

We systematically reviewed the evidence for the efficacy and effectiveness of brief parenting interventions, defined as \8 sessions in duration, in reducing child externalizing behaviors. While there is significant evidence to support the efficacy of parenting interventions of 8-12 sessions in duration, the public health benefit of these interventions is limited by low participation rates, high attrition rates and the lack of implementation by a wide range of practitioners. Brief parenting interventions have the potential to extend the reach and impact of parenting interventions and steer children away from a trajectory of life course persistent behavior problems. A search of four electronic databases was undertaken to identify RCTs conducted on brief parenting interventions. The primary outcome was child externalizing behaviors and secondary outcomes included parenting skills, parental self-efficacy, parental mental health and partner relationship functioning. The heterogeneity of included studies prevented a metaanalysis but characteristics of the studies were described. Nine papers summarising the results of eight studies with 836 families in five countries met inclusion criteria. All studies found significant improvements in parent-rated child externalizing behaviors, parenting skills and parenting self-efficacy, relative to control or comparison groups, with findings maintained at follow-up. Less consistent findings emerged for parental mental health and partner relationship functioning. This review provides initial evidence that brief parenting interventions may be sufficient to reduce child externalizing behavior problems for some families, however further research is needed.

Innovation, engagement, and the evaluation of a parenting intervention for improving sibling relationships

“…In support of Kramer's (2010) argument, and the findings from Tiedemann and Johnson (1992) the data emerging from this trial indicate how a parenting program can improve the sibling relationship by seeking to increase positive interactions among siblings, rather than focussing on reducing conflict. Finally, the findings add to the potential utility of topic-specific parenting discussion groups towards improving child behaviour on a specific issue (Joachim et al, 2010;Morawska, Haslam et al, 2011;Tully & Hunt, 2015). The lack of significant differences on specific subscales of sibling behaviour indicate that further research is required to better understand why these effects were not detected.…”

“…The failure to detect any significant differences in measures of child emotional and behavioural problems and parenting practices is largely inconsistent with the large body of evidence supporting Triple P (see and the evidence specifically pertaining to brief format interventions (see Tully & Hunt, 2015). Moreover, the failure to detect improvements in parenting practices towards the management of sibling relationships also is inconsistent with previous research (e.g., Feinberg et al, 2013).…”

“…A recent systematic review by Tully and Hunt (2015) examined the effects of brief parenting interventions of child externalising problems. The researchers operationalised a brief intervention to encompass any parenting program with eight or fewer sessions.…”

Broadening the reach of evidence-based parenting interventions: Evaluation of a brief online version of the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program

“…Low intensity interventions typically take less time to complete, can be consumed in bite-size chunks, and can often be delivered wholly or in part by paraprofessionals, volunteers, or in primary care settings (BennettLevy et al, 2010). While there is no commonly accepted definition of 'brief interventions ', Tully and Hunt (2015) have defined them as programs with fewer than 8 sessions, in line with the definition of brief adult mental health interventions. In their systematic review of published papers on brief parenting interventions for children at risk of externalising behaviour problems they identified eight studies (six studies of Triple P, one of Parent Management Training -Oregon Model and one of the 123 Magic program).…”

“…Significant positive effects for externalising child behaviour problems and dysfunctional parenting were evident across all studies, suggesting that brief interventions can be a sufficient level of support for many parents. Triple P research has examined the efficacy of a number of face-to-face low intensity interventions (Levels 2 and 3), some of which were included in the review by Tully and Hunt (2015). Small and large group seminars (Sanders, Prior, & Ralph, 2009;Sumargi, Sofronoff, & Morawska, 2014), brief individual programs (Turner & Sanders, 2006), as well as group discussion formats (Joachim, Sanders, & Turner, 2010;Mejia, Calam, & Sanders, 2015b;Morawska, Adamson, Hinchliffe, & Adams, 2014;Morawska, Haslam, Milne, & Sanders, 2011) have been found to be successful at increasing effective parenting and improving child behaviour.…”