Abstract
This study evaluated the effectiveness of problem-solving training as an adjunct to parenting-skills training in a group program for self-referred parents concerned about child behavior problems. Fifty-three parents were randomly assigned to either parent training + problem-solving Training (n = 221), parent training + extra discussion (n = 16), or to a waiting list control group (n = 16). At posttest, both treatment groups demonstrated significant improvements in parenting behaviors as measured by a situation test of behavioral parenting skills, and by parent self-report of punitiveness. Both treatments also resulted in significant improvements in child behavior problems as measured by parent reports of three child behaviors of concern to them. On the other hand, only the parenting skills + problem solving-skills training program resulted in significant reductions in the intensity of the wider range of child behavior problems sampled by the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory. Also, only the program with supplementary training in problem solving resulted in significant improvements in parent attitudes concerning the children's adjustment and character (Parent Attitudes Test), and concerning parents' own functioning in the parental role (Parenting Stress Index — Parent Domain). At 4- to 6-month followup, treatment gains were maintained in both treatment groups on four of seven outcome variables, but there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups. The implications of these results for preventive programs are discussed, as are the limitations of the study.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abidin, R. R. (1983).Parenting Stress Index — manual. Charlottesville, Virginia: Pediatric Psychology Press.
Baum, C. G., & Forehand, R. (1981). Long term followup assessment of parent training by use of multiple outcome measures.Behavior Therapy, 12 643–655.
Budd, K. S., Riner, L. S., & Brockman, M. P. (1983). A structured evaluation system for clinical evaluation of parent training.Behavioral Assessment, 5 373–390.
Bugental, D. B., & Shennum, W. A. (1984). “Difficult” children as elicitors and targets of adult communication patterns: An attributional-behavioral transactional analysis.Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, 49 (1, Serial No. 205).
Cowen, E. L. Huser, J., Beach, D. R., & Rappaport, J. (1970). Parent perceptions of young children and their relationship to indices of adjustment.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 34 97–103.
Dubey, D. R., O'Leary, S. G., & Kaufman, K. F. (1983). Training parents of hyperactive children in child management: A comparative outcome study.Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 11 229–240.
Dumas, J. E., & Wahler, R. G. (1983). Predictors of treatment outcome in parent training: Mother insularity and socioeconomic disadvantage.Behavioral Assessment, 5 301–313.
D'Zurilla, T. J., & Goldfried, M. R. (1971). Problem solving and behavior modification.Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 78 107–126.
Egan, K. J. (1983). Stress management and child management with abusive parents.Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 12 292–301.
Eyberg, S. M., & Ross, A. W. (1978). Assessment of child behavior problems: The validation of a new inventory.Journal of Clinical Psychology, 16 113–116.
Ferber, H., Keeley, S. M., & Shemberg, K. M. (1974). Training parents in behavior modification: Outcome of and problems encountered in a program after Patterson's work.Behavior Therapy, 5 415–419.
Firestone, P., & Witt, J. E. (1982). Characteristics of families completing and prematurely discontinuing a behavioral parent training program.Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 7 209–223.
Griest, D. L., Forehand, R., Rogers, T., Breiner, T., Furey, W., & Williams, C. A. (1982). Effects of parent enhancement therapy on the treatment outcome and generalization of a parent training program.Behaviour Research and Therapy, 20, 429–436.
Griest, D. L., Forehand, R., & Wells, K. C. (1981). Follow-up assessment of parent behavioral training: An analysis of who will participate.Child Study Journal, 11 221–229.
Johnson, S. M., & Christensen, A. (1975). Multiple criterion follow-up of behavior modification with families.Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 3 135–154.
Jurs, S. G., & Glass, G. V. (1971). The effect of experimental mortality on the internal and external validity of the randomized comparative experiment.The Journal of Experimental Education, 40 62–66.
Larrance, D. T., & Twentyman, C. T. (1983). Maternal attributions and child abuse.Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 92 449–457.
Patterson, G. R. (1974). Intervention for boys with conduct problems: Multiple settings, treatments, and criteria.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 42 471–481.
Patterson, G. R., & Fleischmann, M. J. (1979). Maintenance of treatment effects: Some considerations concerning family symptoms and follow-up data.Behavior Therapy, 10 168–185.
Reid, J. B., Patterson, G. R., & Loeber, R. (1981). The abused child: Victim, instigator, or innocent bystander? In J. Bernstein (Ed.),Response structure and organization. Lincoln NE: University of Nebraska Press.
Robinson, E. A., Eyberg, S. M., & Ross, A. W. (1980). Assessment of child behavior problems; the validation of a new inventory.Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 9 22–28.
Sanders, M. R., & Glynn, T. (1981). Training parents in behavioral self-management: An analysis of generalization and maintenance.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 14 223–237.
Twentyman, C. T., & Plotkin, R. C. (1982). Unrealistic expectations of parents who maltreat their children: An educational deficit pertaining to child development.Journal of Clinical Psychology, 38 497–503.
Wahler, R. G. (1980). The insular mother: Her problems in parent-child relations.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 13 207–219.
Wahler, R. G., & Afton, A. D. (1980). Attentional processes in insular and non-insular mothers: Some differences in their summary reports about child problem behaviors.Child Behavior Therapist, 2 25–41.
Webster-Stratton, C. (1981). Videotape modeling: A method of parent education.Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 10 93–96.
Webster-Stratton, C. (1982). The long term effects of a videotape modeling parent training program: Comparison of immediate and one year follow-up results.Behavior Therapy, 13 702–711.
Webster-Stratton, C. (1986).Parent and children series videocassette program. Eugene, OR: Castilia.
Wells, K. C., Griest, D. L., & Forehand, R. (1980). The use of a self-control package to enhance temporal generalization of a parent training program.Behaviour Research and Therapy, 18 347–354.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This article is based on the doctoral dissertation of the first author at De Paul University. The cooperation and support of the staff at Kaiser Permanente's Los Angeles Medical Center is gratefully acknowledged. The assistance and ideas of Irwin Sandler in reviewing a draft of this article and of two anonymous reviewers are also acknowledged.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Spaccarelli, S., Cotler, S. & Penman, D. Problem-solving skills training as a supplement to behavioral parent training. Cogn Ther Res 16, 1–17 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01172953
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01172953