Parent Training Using Videotape Self-Modeling

Abstract

Mothers with 4- to 7-year-old male children with behavior problems related to noncompliance and aggression were recruited to participate in a parent training study. Each mother-child dyad was observed and videotaped over fifteen 15-minute laboratory sessions. Resulting videotapes were edited to show only examples of three targeted parental behaviors: selective attention, issuing direct and clear commands, and praise contingent on child compliance. One baseline, one attention control, and three treatment conditions made up the within subject multiple baseline design. During treatment conditions, mothers viewed the edited tapes depicting the respective target behavior. The data analysis indicated that videotape self-modeling did not significantly alter parental or child behavior with the exception of the final phase in which parents issues more direct and concise commands and the children became more compliant. However, a follow-up exploration in which variables such as parental comprehension and motivation were manipulated produced robust changes in parental behavior. Potential explanations for the results and recommendations for future research are made.