This study aimed to examine if technology could enhance the treatment engagement and outcomes of low income parents of 3 to 8 children with externalizing problems.
The aim of this pilot study is to determine whether a technology-enhanced version of an established behavioral treatment protocol, Helping the Noncompliant Child (HNC; McMahon \& Forehand), enhances the engagement and treatment outcomes of lower income parents of 3 to 8 children with externalizing problems in treatment. It is predicted that families in both the HNC and technology-enhanced HNC (TE-HNC) programs will evidence significant improvement in parenting behavior and child externalizing problems; however, it is predicted that parent-child dyads in the TE-HNC program will require fewer sessions, will be more likely to be retained in the program, will be more likely to remain engaged in the program (e.g., practicing skills between sessions etc.), and will be more likely to have active involvement from their coparenting partners (i.e., other adults and family members who participate in childrearing).In turn, it is expected that the TE-HNC program will boost treatment outcomes.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
22
Well-established behavioral parent training program (McMahon \& Forehand) for parents of 3 to 8 y.o. children with externalizing problems
Standard HNC program plus technology-enhancements (see description under Arm)
UNC Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
Retention
Retention assesses whether or not the family completed the full treatment program.
Time frame: Baseline to Post-Intervention (average 8 to 12 weeks)
Mean % Sessions Attended as Scheduled
Participation in each weekly session as scheduled was recorded for each family. Mean attendance of scheduled sessions was computed for each parent-child dyad and then for each group. For example, if a parent-child dyad required 8 sessions to master the program skills and attended all 8 sessions as scheduled they would have 100%. If instead, another parent-child dyad also required 8 sessions to complete the program, but half of those were rescheduled at least once. Then the overall average attendance is calculated across the parent-child dyads in each group. Greater scheduled attendance = optimal outcome.
Time frame: Baseline to Post-Intervention (average 8 to 12 weeks)
Mean Post-treatment Score Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI)
The ECBI is a 36 item measure frequently used in treatment outcome research with young children, as it it reflects problem behavior in this age range and is sensitive to change. Parents rate the frequency of each problem behavior as occurring 0 = never to 7 = always. Scores can range from 0 to 252 with higher scores reflecting greater problem behaviors.
Time frame: Baseline to Post-Intervention (average 8 to 12 weeks)
Mean Sessions for Complete Treatment
Mean number of sessions that parent-child dyads in each group required to master the program skills and complete treatment (Fewer sessions to complete treatment considered more cost-effective as parent-child dyads learning skills more efficiently).
Time frame: Baseline to Post-Intervention (Average 8 to 12 weeks)
Mean Consumer Satisfaction
Average parent-reported satisfaction with the treatment program on a project-developed consumer satisfaction scale (Possible range = 11 -77; Higher score = greater satisfaction).
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Time frame: Post-Intervention (Average 8 to 12 weeks)