Multiple criteria follow-up of behavior modification with families

Abstract

This report presents termination and follow-up evaluations of a parent training program based on behavior modification principles. Treatment termination outcome data were obtained for 22 families, and follow-up data were collected on 14 of these families 3 and 8 months after treatment. Results indicated a fairly high level of success at termination on the basis of parent-collected observational data, parent attitude change toward the children, and parent attitude concerning the process and outcome of treatment. Modest levels of success were evidenced on the basis of behavioral data recorded by trained observers in the home. Families who participated in follow-up demonstrated greater cooperation and involvement with the treatment program than those who did not participate. In all other respects, however, these two groups were similar. Follow-up data on parent attitude measures demonstrated maintenance of the treatment effects. Parent observational data were incomplete, but also showed maintenance in follow-up. For the subsample of 14 cases, home observation records indicated a nonsignificant decline in deviant behavior at termination followed by a nonsignificant increase in deviant behavior during follow-up. The meaning and implications of these discrepant findings were discussed and compared with results from other laboratories.

EVALUATION OF FAMILY INTERVENTION THROUGH UNOBTRUSIVE AUDIO RECORDINGS: EXPERIENCES IN “BUGGING” CHILDREN1

“…Both verbal report measures, the Becker Bi-Polar Adjective Checklist and the Therapy Attitude Inventory, indicated favorable outcome for all cases in agreement with previous research involving this treatment program and these verbal report measures (Eyberg and Johnson, 1974;Johnson and Christensen, 1975). The Checklist was scored on the basis of the five factors derived by Patterson (cf.…”

Training Parents to Modify Conduct Problems in Their Children

“…Another study (Eyberg and Johnson, 1974) which utilized procedures similar to those of Patterson mentions an average of eleven hours per case. However, this is not particularly helpful in the sense that the study ultimately failed to achieve general long-term child improvement (Johnson and Christensen, 1977). Information of real value in relation to costeffectiveness is not available in any real depth at this stage.…”

“…The evidence that immediate treatment effects persist over time is less clear. The few researchers who have conducted long-term research have been cautious about drawing any firm conclusions (Patterson and Fleischman, 1979;Johnson and Christensen, 1977;Ferber et al, 1974). Patterson and Fleischman (1979) note that of eighty-six families who received treatment during a ten year period, thirty-five dropped out during the follow-up period.…”

The Effects of Father Involvement in Parent Training for Conduct Problem Children

“…In a number of research reports (Berkowitz & Craziano, 1972;Johnson & Katz, 1973;Moreland, Schwebel, Beck & Wells, 1982), investigators have concluded that parent training is an effective treatment for such children. However, more recently research which has investigated the long-term effects of these programs has indicated that training parents is not always effective and does not guarantee lasting measurable effects for all parents (Forehand, Sturgis, McMahon, Aguar, Creen, Wells & Breiner, 1979;Johnson & Christensen, 1975;Patterson, 1974;Wahler, 1980). Some investigators have begun to examine why parent training programs work for some families and not for others.…”