The Role of Therapist Communication Style in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy

ABSTRACT

The impact of therapist characteristics on maternal compliance and satisfaction was examined with a parent-training program, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). Participants were 45 mothers with children between the ages of 24 and 83 months. Each mother was taught components of PCIT using one of three therapist communication styles: (1) positive, (2) neutral, and (3) constructive criticism. Although all groups demonstrated an increase in skill level from pre- to post-treatment, mothers in the constructive criticism therapist group used the target skills at a significantly higher rate at post-treatment than the two other groups. No difference was found on maternal satisfaction. The importance of considering therapist variables when providing parent training is discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Therapist communication
• parent training
• PCIT
• therapist variables
• therapy process