Preventative Behavioral Parent Training: A Preliminary Investigation of Strategies for Preventing At-Risk Children From Developing Later Conduct Problems

Abstract

Children exhibiting conduct problems comprise the largest source of referrals to children's mental health services. The treatment for conduct problems that possesses the greatest amount of empirical support is behavioral parent training. Unfortunately, a cogent approach to the identification of risk factors and prevention of chronic conduct problem display has not been developed. This project was an initial longitudinal assessment examining the merits of preventative behavioral parent training as a primary prevention strategy for at-risk children. Results demonstrated that prevention participants were engaging in normative rates of disruptive behaviors at 6-month follow-up, whereas comparison children showed a behavioral decline over time.

KEYWORDS:

• at-risk
• behavioral parent training
• conduct problems
• disruptive behavior disorders
• prevention
• young children

Notes

Note. PBPT = Preventative Behavioral Parent Training, P = poverty, I = isolation, C = child psychopathology, S = single parent, M = maternal depression, L = life stress.

Note. PBPT = Preventative Behavioral Parent Training.Standard deviations are in parentheses.

Note. PBPT = Preventative Behavioral Parent Training. < 67 = normal; 67–70 = borderline clinical; > 70 = clinical.