Importance of Early Intervention for Disruptive Behavior Problems: Comparison of Treatment and Waitlist-Control Groups

Abstract

The stability of young children's behavior problems and the effectiveness of an early intervention approach known as Parent–Child Interaction Therapy are examined. Participants were 32 families with young children (ages 2.5 to 8.6 years) who were referred for treatment of disruptive behavior. The families were divided into two groups: the waitlist-control and treatment groups. Dependent measures were administered at both Assessment 1 (the time of referral) and Assessment 2 (the end of treatment for the treatment group; immediately prior to treatment for the waitlist-control group). No significant differences were found between the waitlist-control and treatment groups at Assessment 1 on the dependent variables, the Child Behavior Checklist, Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory, and Parenting Stress Index. However, the behavior of the treatment group improved over the course of approximately 3 months of Parent–Child Interaction Therapy, while the behavior of the waitlist-control group continued to be problematic at the end of a similar time period. Results are discussed with regard to the stability of young children's behavior problems and the importance of early intervention.