Effects of Problem-Solving Therapy on Outcomes of Parent Training for Single-Parent Families

Abstract

The present study investigated whether the effectiveness of parent training for single-parent families could be enhanced with the addition of problem-solving treatment addressing non-child problems. Eleven mothers with conduct-disordered children between 4 and 9 years of age were randomly assigned to either Intensive Parent Training (IPT) or Parent Training plus training in social problem-solving skills targeted for problems other than child management (PTPS). Mothers in both treatment conditions reported significant reductions in externalizing child behavior problems post-treatment and at 4-month follow-up. Mothers in the PRPS condition reported significantly greater decreases in externalizing child behavior problems at follow-up than mothers in the IPT condition. These results suggest that single-parent families benefit more from parent training when non-childrearing difficulties are also addressed in treatment.