What changes when? A reply to Beauchaine and Slep

Abstract

In their commentary, Beauchaine and Slep (2018) raise important issues regarding research on behavioral parenting training (BPT). In this reply we highlight key points of agreement and respond to issues that we feel require clarification. BPT has been repeatedly proven effective in decreasing disruptive child behavior (also in the work of our research team). Yet, there is much to learn about for whom and how BPT is effective. Specifically, assessing the how (i.e., mediation) comes with many challenges. One of these challenges is taking into account the timeline of change, and being able to infer causal mechanisms of change. We argue that cross-lagged panel models (which we, and many other scholars, used) are a valid and valuable method for testing mediation. At the same time, our results raise important questions, specifically about the timing and form of expected changes in parenting and child behavior after BPT. For example, are these changes linear and gradual or do they happen more suddenly? To select the appropriate design, assessment tools, and statistical models to test mediation, we need to state detailed hypotheses on what changes when. An important next step might be to assess multiple putative mediators on different timescales, not only before and after, but specifically also during BPT.

The Role of Classmates’ Modeling and Reinforcement in Adolescents’ Perceived Classroom Peer Context

“…This time point was analyzed because the interest was in changes in modeling and reinforcement which were expected immediately after the intervention rather than between post and follow-up measurements (Beauchaine and Slep 2018 ). However, this approach limited the extent to infer causal order (Weeland et al 2018 ). Furthermore, victimization was measured with only one item.…”

Understanding Differential Effectiveness of Behavioral Parent Training from a Family Systems Perspective: Families Are Greater than “Some of Their Parts”

“…Parenting behavior is therefore theorized to be the most important mechanisms of change. However, empirical studies have not consistently demonstrated that parenting behavior is indeed the key mediator of BPT effectiveness (Forehand et al, 2014; Weeland et al, 2018; Weeland, Chhangur, Jaffee, et al, 2017). Theoretically this can be explained by the fact that the relation between parenting practices and child behavior is neither direct nor unidirectional (Pettit & Arsiwalla, 2008).…”

“…Theoretically this can be explained by the fact that the relation between parenting practices and child behavior is neither direct nor unidirectional (Pettit & Arsiwalla, 2008). The putative mechanisms of change underlying interventions targeting parenting and child behavior may therefore also be complex (Burke & Loeber, 2016; Kazdin, 2007; Rimestad et al, 2017; Weeland et al, 2018). Changes in parenting and child behavior after participation in BPT may partly be explained by third variables, which often may not be assessed in research on BPT effectiveness.…”

Co-occurring change in children's conduct problems and maternal depression: Latent class individual participant data meta-analysis of the Incredible Years parenting program

“…This is consistent with clinical impressions from parenting groups, where parents often report feeling rewarded by success in early home practice assignments, for example seeing their child's pleasure during responsive play. These change processes cannot be captured by traditional mediation models that assume a period of change in parents first, before change in children starts (Weeland et al, 2018a, 2018b). Instead, we hypothesized the existence of subgroups of families with different patterns of co-occurring change, or lack thereof, in children's conduct problems and maternal depressive symptoms.…”