Evaluation of parent management training effectiveness to modify conduct problems in children

Abstract

A procedure of author's behavioral training "There is a contact" for parents of children with conduct problems is described, and an assessment of its effectiveness in a longitudinal controlled study is carried out. The intervention group consisted of 17 parents of children with high rate of behavioral problems (12 boys and 5 girls), and the control group consisted of 34 parents of children (19 boys and 15 girls); children were at the age of 2 - 8 years. The initial level of children's conduct problems was similar in both groups according to the Eyberg child behavior inventory. Level of conduct problems in the control group remained stable during six months after the training, and in the intervention group reduced significantly (t=2,3, p<0,05). Large positive effect of intervention on mothers' disciplinary tactics and anxiety-depression symptoms was revealed in a year after the training (Cohen's d=2,2 and 0.94, respectively). Conclusion: the program "There is a contact" can be recommended for professionals working with children's conduct problems.