Behavioral Parent Training in Child Welfare: Maintenance and Booster Training

Abstract

Previous research has demonstrated the efficacy of a 30-hr behavioral parent training program at increasing skill accuracy. However, it remains unknown whether skills acquisitions are maintained on a long-term basis. Few studies have evaluated the maintenance of skills learned during behavioral parent training for foster parents. The purpose of this study is twofold: (a) to assess skill maintenance 8 to 35.5 months following the initial 30-hr training program and (b) to evaluate whether a 6-hr booster training would raise caregivers' skill performance to levels similar to those observed during posttests of the initial training. Overall results show partial maintenance of skills over time and positive effects of booster training for skills that had not been maintained. Results also show variability in individual participant and individual skill scores during various phases of the analysis, suggesting idiosyncratic differences with regard to initial training, maintenance, and booster training.

Structured Feedback Training for Time-Out: Efficacy and Efficiency in Comparison to a Didactic Method

“…The SF method has demonstrated success in teaching other skills as well (see Jensen & Steiner, 2017). Vollmer and colleagues (Marcus et al, 2001; Van Camp et al, 2008) have applied their training model upon which the SF method is based to multiple skills, though a comparison with alternative methods has not been evaluated. The current method is fairly experimenter-intensive, requiring a trained role player, an individual providing feedback, and one recording data for a single parent in training.…”

“…They found this method to be effective in working with the parents of four children. Other studies have found similar rehearsal and feedback methods to be effective (Berard & Smith, 2008; Cobb, Leitenberg, & Burchard, 1982; Van Camp et al, 2008), but no comparisons of the training procedure to other methods have been explored.…”

The Effects of Behavioral Parent Training on Placement Outcomes of Biological Families in a State Child Welfare System

“…Van Camp, Vollmer, et al (2008) documented that caregivers who completed the program demonstrated substantial improvements in the targeted skills from pretest to posttest role-play evaluations. However, Van Camp, Montgomery, et al (2008) found decreases in role-play performance at 8–35 months after the course had ended. The authors then demonstrated that a brief booster training immediately restored performance to the previously attained levels.…”

Effective Single-Parent Training Group Program

“…Behavioral parent training is an empirically supported intervention that has shown to be effective in the reduction of noncompliant child behavior and the acquisition of effective parenting skills in a number of settings, populations, and social problems (Briggs et al, 2005; Smagner & Sullivan, 2005; Stoutimore, Williams, Neff, & Foster, 2008; van Camp, Montgomery, et al, 2008; van Camp, Vollmer, et al, 2008). For example, the basic philosophy, principles, and methodologies of behavioral parent training have demonstrated utility in analyzing and addressing issues encountered by families with child welfare involvement, foster parents, and other caregivers of children in custody (Azar & Siegel, 1990; Azar & Wolfe, 1996; Barth et al, 2005; Lutzker, 1990; Pinkston et al, 1982; Smagner & Sullivan, 2005; van Camp et al, 2008). However, there is a continued need for studies to evaluate the efficacy or effectiveness of behavioral parent trainings on foster parents’ acquisition of parenting competencies and skills and families with child welfare involvement (Barth et al, 2005; van Camp et al, 2008).…”

“…For example, the basic philosophy, principles, and methodologies of behavioral parent training have demonstrated utility in analyzing and addressing issues encountered by families with child welfare involvement, foster parents, and other caregivers of children in custody (Azar & Siegel, 1990; Azar & Wolfe, 1996; Barth et al, 2005; Lutzker, 1990; Pinkston et al, 1982; Smagner & Sullivan, 2005; van Camp et al, 2008). However, there is a continued need for studies to evaluate the efficacy or effectiveness of behavioral parent trainings on foster parents’ acquisition of parenting competencies and skills and families with child welfare involvement (Barth et al, 2005; van Camp et al, 2008). Other scholars have reviewed the behavior parent training program literature and found that the programs are also well established with parents who experience coercive and disruptive child behavior problems (Marcus, Swanson, & Vollmer, 2001; McMahon & Wells, 1998; O’Dell, 1985).…”