A randomized controlled trial of a brief versus standard group parenting program for toddler aggression

Abstract

Physical aggression (PA) in the toddler years is common and developmentally normal, however, longitudinal research shows that frequent PA is highly stable and associated with long-term negative outcomes. Significant research has demonstrated the efficacy of parenting interventions for reducing externalizing behavior in children yet their typical length may overburden families, leading to low participation rates and high attrition rates. To increase the reach of parenting interventions and impact on the prevalence of externalizing behavior problems, brief interventions are needed. This RCT compared a standard (8 session) group Triple P to a brief (3 session) discussion group and a waitlist control for reducing toddler PA, dysfunctional parenting and related aspects of parent functioning. Sixty-nine self-referred families of toddlers with PA were randomized to the respective conditions. At post-assessment, families in the standard intervention had significantly lower levels of observed child aversive behavior, mother reports of PA and dysfunctional parenting, and higher levels of mother- and partner-rated behavioral self-efficacy than the waitlist control. Families in the standard intervention also had significantly lower levels mother-rated dysfunctional parenting than the brief intervention, and the brief intervention had significantly lower levels of mother-rated dysfunctional parenting than waitlist. There were no significant group differences at post-assessment for measures of parental negative affect or satisfaction with the partner relationship. By 6 month follow-up, families in the brief and standard intervention did not differ significantly on any measure. The implications of the findings to delivery of brief parenting interventions are discussed. Aggr. Behav. 43:291-303, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Future Directions for Early Childhood Prevention of Mental Disorders: A Road Map to Mental Health, Earlier

“…This first-tier selective intervention for irritable young children would be designed to reduce population attributable risk for early emerging mental disorder as identified by high and persistent irritability. If implemented within extant pediatric networks, this would also rapidly build a registry to generate evidence of large-scale effectiveness and shed light on factors that indicate higher intensity or specialized modality of intervention delivery are needed, following tiered models such as Triple P (Tully & Hunt, 2017). As previously described, the capacity to integrate behavioral and neural markers of risk at very young ages (Bosl et al, 2018) may also sharpen risk determination, beyond what is possible with behavior alone, in the fairly near future and improve the assessment modalities used to quantify that risk.…”

Parent–Child Care as a Brief Dyadic Intervention for Children With Mild to Moderate Externalizing Problems: A Case Study

“…Even when families gain access to a mental health provider, a third never attend their first appointment (Harrison, McKay, & Bannon, 2004). Among those who do begin services, high attrition rates suggest that keeping families engaged is one of the greatest challenges to providing effective treatment (Tully & Hunt, 2017). One strategy to increase engagement and maximize the effectiveness of interventions with the largest number of people is to develop briefer interventions that are less intensive and able to be provided in a variety of settings (Sanders & Kirby, 2010).…”

“…challenges to providing effective treatment (Tully & Hunt, 2017). One strategy to increase engagement and maximize the effectiveness of interventions with the largest number of people is to develop briefer interventions that are less intensive and able to be provided in a variety of settings (Sanders & Kirby, 2010).…”

Preventative Intervention for Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties in Toddlers and Their Families: A Pilot Study

“…In seeking to deliver this outcome, Holding Hands typically provides only six to eight sessions per family, and builds on the immediate delivery of systemic, behavioure-based strategies with specific problem-solving tasks and relational enhancement. It has been suggested that low participation rates and high attrition rates in BPIs may, in part, be a consequence of the lengthy nature of treatment, and the associated burden placed on families [95]. Families have indicated a preference for briefer programs [96], and those who have participated in brief programs have reported high levels of satisfaction [97].…”

“…Families have indicated a preference for briefer programs [96], and those who have participated in brief programs have reported high levels of satisfaction [97]. Further, the same treatment outcomes have been obtained in briefer, relative to longer, interventions [95]. Holding Hands thus endeavoured to provide a brief, yet effective, intervention for families.…”