Triple P-Positive Parenting Program for Children With Externalizing and Internalizing Problems

Which parents dropout from an evidence-based parenting programme (Triple-P) at CAMHS? Comparison of programme-completing and dropout parents

“…While a body of evidence shows that behavioural parenting programmes are beneficial for children’s behavioural and emotional problems and in improving parenting practices, attrition rates between 30 and 60% were posted, depending on the sample included and the methodology applied (Chacko et al, 2016; Nicholson & Sanders, 1999; Oliver, 2013; Özyurt et al, 2016; Sanders, Baker, & Turner, 2012; Sanders et al, 2000). Dropout rates associated with Triple-P were lower compared to other parenting programmes, and the mean dropout rate across randomised controlled trials with community samples was reported to be between 15% and 37% (First 5 Sonoma County, 2012; Jones, 2014; Turner et al, 1999; ‘The World of Triple P’, 2016). However, dropout rates for Triple-P have been reported to be higher when clinical samples were included.…”

“…However, dropout rates for Triple-P have been reported to be higher when clinical samples were included. Jones (2014) reported an overall dropout rate of 45% from a Triple-P Level 4 intervention applied to a mixed community and clinical sample with both internalising and externalising problems. His data is in accordance with the reported dropout rates of between 40 and 60% for parenting programmes at CAMHS in general (Koerting et al, 2013).…”

“…Very few studies compared the characteristics of Triple-P programme-completing and dropout parents. While some studies have found no significant differences between these two groups on variables such as demographics, risk factors, child behaviour ratings and parenting skills, others reported that parents who dropout are more likely to have a lower negative affect and lower child behavioural problems (Jones, 2014; Markie-Dadds & Sanders, 2006; Sanders, Montgomery, & Brechman-Toussaint, 2000).…”

“…A search of the literature revealed several attempts to describe which parents fail to attend parenting programmes despite the obvious benefits. The effects of sociodemographics, parental education, parenting styles, stressful life events, parental mental health risk factors and child emotional and behaviour ratings on attrition reveal contradictory reports (Chacko et al, 2016; Friars & Mellor, 2007; Gross, Julion, & Fogg, 2001; Jones, 2014; Markie-Dadds & Sanders, 2006; McCabe, 2002). In addition, methodological issues, such as training format (e.g.…”

“…Moreover, as cultural issues are well known to influence parenting practices and, in turn, may affect reactions to the parenting interventions, attrition from parenting programmes may vary across cultures. Research on this topic mainly comes from Western countries, such as the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada (Jones, 2014; Markie-Dadds & Sanders, 2006; McCabe, 2002; Sanders et al, 2000; Wells, Sarkadi, & Salari, 2016), implying that this issue awaits to be inquired for various other cultures.…”