An Immediate and Long-Term Study of a Temperament and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy Based Community Program for Preschoolers with Behavior Problems

ABSTRACT

The immediate and long-term effects of a Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) derived program offered at a Kaiser Permanente facility were evaluated. There were 73 participants in the initial sample and 23 in the 5–6 year follow-up sample. Child behaviors improved significantly immediately following treatment and some improvements were maintained at follow-up. Over 75% of the follow-up participants utilized additional therapy services following completion. Thus, sustained improvements may have been related to posttreatment services. Parent appraisals of their child's behaviors appeared to be as important as actual child behaviors when behavioral improvements were assessed. The benefits of this modified PCIT program are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Preschoolers and behavior problems
• parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT)
• temperament and behavior