Reducing child conduct disordered behaviour and improving parent mental health in disadvantaged families: a 12-month follow-up and cost analysis of a parenting intervention

Abstract

The effectiveness of the Incredible Years Basic parent programme (IYBP) in reducing child conduct problems and improving parent competencies and mental health was examined in a 12-month follow-up. Pre- to post-intervention service use and related costs were also analysed. A total of 103 families and their children (aged 32-88 months), who previously participated in a randomised controlled trial of the IYBP, took part in a 12-month follow-up assessment. Child and parent behaviour and well-being were measured using psychometric and observational measures. An intention-to-treat analysis was carried out using a one-way repeated measures ANOVA. Pairwise comparisons were subsequently conducted to determine whether treatment outcomes were sustained 1 year post-baseline assessment. Results indicate that post-intervention improvements in child conduct problems, parenting behaviour and parental mental health were maintained. Service use and associated costs continued to decline. The results indicate that parent-focused interventions, implemented in the early years, can result in improvements in child and parent behaviour and well-being 12 months later. A reduced reliance on formal services is also indicated.

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

“…Two studies of IY with longer-term follow-ups found that improvements in ECBI-I score were sustained and accompanied by decreased costs of health and social services or a reduction in the likelihood that formal services were used. 172,173 The US-based evaluation of the multifaceted Perry Preschool Program suggests a possible long-term impact on conduct disorder, criminal behaviour and employment. 174 Evidence from model-based analyses suggests that parenting programmes are likely to provide substantial savings (e.g.…”

Costs and savings of parenting interventions: results of a systematic review

“…Five of the seven RCTs contained a cost‐effectiveness evaluation (Muntz et al ; Atherton ; Barlow et al ; Edwards et al ; McIntosh et al ; O'Neill et al ; Simkiss et al ). Of the two remaining RCTs, one (Charles et al ) reported the cost of the intervention, and the other (McGilloway et al ) reported the cost of service use.…”

“…The studies took place predominantly in deprived areas of Wales (four studies) (Muntz et al ; Atherton ; Edwards et al ; Charles et al ; Simkiss et al ). Two were conducted in England (Barlow et al ; McIntosh et al ; Bonin et al ) and two each in Ireland (McGilloway et al ; O'Neill et al ) and the USA (Reynolds & Temple ; Reynolds et al ).…”

Mellow Parenting: systematic review and meta‐analysis of an intervention to promote sensitive parenting

“…Parenting programmes have achieved broad support as preventative interventions that may positively affect childhood well‐being. However, current intervention packages with a substantial evidence base such as Incredible Years and the Triple P Programme tend to focus on parental management of children's behaviour or are primarily targeted at families with children of 2 years and over. Attachment relationships and parental sensitivity – key psychological mechanisms for the transmission of resilience – are not the primary focus of these programmes .…”