A parent-based intervention programme involving preschoolers with AD/HD behaviours: are children’s and mothers’ effects sustained over time?

Abstract

To evaluate the 12-month efficacy of a parent-based intervention programme on children's and mothers' outcomes in a sample of Portuguese preschoolers displaying early hyperactive and inattentive behaviours (AD/HD behaviours), 52 preschool children whose mothers had received the Incredible Years basic parent training (IY) were followed from baseline to 12 months of follow-up. Reported and observational measures were used. Effects were found in the children's reported AD/HD behaviours at home and at school after 12 months. Large effect sizes were also found in mothers' variables: a decrease in self-reported dysfunctional parenting practices and an improved sense of competence and observed positive parenting. However, the improvements in coaching skills that have been observed after 6 months of follow-up decreased over time. No other significant differences were found between 6 and 12 months follow-up, with small effect sizes indicating that the significant post-intervention changes in child and parenting measures were maintained. After 12 months of follow-up, there was a clinically important reduction of over 30 % in reported AD/HD behaviours in 59 % of children. The sustained effects observed both for children and their mothers suggest long-term benefits of IY. Therefore, efforts should be made by Portuguese policy makers and professionals to deliver IY as an early preventive intervention for children displaying early AD/HD behaviours.

Could scale-up of parenting programmes improve child disruptive behaviour and reduce social inequalities? Using individual participant data meta-analysis to establish for whom programmes are effective and cost-effective

“…If it were the case that ADHD rendered parenting interventions for disruptive behaviour less effective, then it might be important to consider separately treating the ADHD, for example with medication. There is evidence that these interventions directly improve ADHD as well, 68,116,117 which we test in our data set in Chapter 4.…”

Liberating parents from guilt: a grounded theory study of parents’ internet communities for the recognition of ADHD

“…Over the years, the disorder has become an issue that not only concerns the individual child but also the entire structure of the family, where relational difficulties must be addressed. Many programs offering management strategies and skills to parents also associate those skills with the managing of ADHD (e.g., Azevedo et al, 2014;Taylor et al (2015); Stattin, 2015). For instance, Azevedo et al (2014) used video recordings and role-playing to promote awareness of parenting practices among mothers who encountered difficulties in raising restless and demanding children.…”

“…Many programs offering management strategies and skills to parents also associate those skills with the managing of ADHD (e.g., Azevedo et al, 2014;Taylor et al (2015); Stattin, 2015). For instance, Azevedo et al (2014) used video recordings and role-playing to promote awareness of parenting practices among mothers who encountered difficulties in raising restless and demanding children. Aimed at helping parents to manage relational difficulties, such studies do not, however, question these difficulties as a cultural construct (Timimi & Taylor, 2004).…”

Incredible Years Parent Training: Does it Improve Positive Relationships in Portuguese Families of Preschoolers with Oppositional/Defiant Symptoms?

“…These results are consistent with and follow the same trend as other Portuguese studies with the IY parenting program. For example, Azevedo and colleagues (Azevedo et al, 2013a;Azevedo et al, 2013b), in the above mentioned study, which aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the IY in reducing hyperactive and inattentive behaviors, also found that the IY intervention improved mothers positive parenting and coaching skills, while it reduced dysfunctional parenting and; these results were sustained over time (except for mother coaching behavior results, which also faded out by the 12-months follow-up). Similarly, in a Portuguese community sample of socioeconomically disadvantaged families at risk of developing children behavior problems (Cabral et al, 2009(Cabral et al, /2010) the IY Parenting Program has also improved parenting practices and increased parents' empathy and sensitivity regarding the child's needs.…”

“…In Portugal, the IY has already been translated and implemented (see Webster-Stratton, Gaspar, & Seabra-Santos, 2012 for a review), demonstrating its transportability to the country. Moreover, results from different studies have shown its efficacy in short and long-term in our country (Azevedo et al, 2013a;Azevedo et al, 2013b;Cabral et al, 2009Cabral et al, /2010.…”