Skip to main content
Log in

The Triple P Implementation Framework: the Role of Purveyors in the Implementation and Sustainability of Evidence-Based Programs

  • Published:
Prevention Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Evidence-based programs are considered critical in the human services field if major social and health problems are to be addressed. Despite the large number of programs that have been developed and implemented, there is much to learn about how to effectively implement these programs in community settings. One perspective that is rarely represented in the literature is that of the purveyor organization (an organization that actively works to disseminate and support the implementation of a program or practice). This paper introduces the Triple P Implementation Framework, developed by the program’s purveyor organization, and discusses principles underlying the design and implementation of the Framework. The Framework incorporates two key underlying principles of the Triple P system: minimal sufficiency and self-regulation. Lessons learned from the application of these principles and the implementation process are discussed, along with directions for future research.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aarons, G. A., & Palinkas, L. A. (2007). Implementation of evidence-based practice in child welfare: service provider perspectives. Administration and Policy in Mental Health, 34, 411–419. doi:10.1007/s10488-007-0121-3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Asgary-Eden, V., & Lee, C. M. (2012). Implementing an evidence-based parenting program in community agencies: what helps and what gets in the way? Administration and Policy in Mental Health, 39, 478–488. doi:10.1007/s10488-011-0371-y.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Balas, E. A., & Boren, S. A. (2000). Managing clinical knowledge for health care improvement. In J. Bemmel & A. T. McCray (Eds.), Yearbook of medical informatics 2000: patient-centred systems (pp. 65–70). Stuttgart: Schattauer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brownson, R. C., Colditz, G. A., & Proctor, E. K. (2012). Dissemination and implementation research in health: translating science to practice. New York: Oxford University Press, Inc.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Chamberlain, P., Price, J., Reid, J., & Landsverk, J. (2008). Cascading implementation of a foster and kinship parent intervention. Child Welfare, 87, 24–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Damschroder, L. J., & Hagedorn, H. J. (2011). A guiding framework and approach for implementation research in substance use disorders treatment. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 25, 194–205. doi:10.1037/a0022284.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dirscherl, T., Dirscherl, R., McWilliam, J., & Sanders, M. R. (2015). CAPCAL: a planning tool for scaling up evidence-based public health interventions. Manuscript in preparation.

  • Durlak, J. A., & DuPre, E. P. (2008). Implementation matters: a review of research on the influence of implementation on program outcomes and the factors affecting implementation. American Journal of Clinical Psychology, 41, 327–350. doi:10.1007/s10464-008-9165-0.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fives, A., Pursell, L., Heary, C., Nic Gabhainn, S., & Canavan, J. (2014). Parenting support for every parent: a population-level evaluation of Triple P in Longford Westmeath. Final report. Athlone: Longford Westmeath Parenting Partnership (LWPP).

  • Fixsen, D. L., Blase, K. A., Timbers, G. D., & Wolf, M. M. (2001). In search of program implementation: 792 replications of the teaching-family model. In G. A. Bernfeld, D. P. Farrington, & A. W. Leschield (Eds.), Offender rehabilitation in practice: Implementation and evaluating effective programs (pp. 149–166). London:Wiley.

  • Fixsen, D. L., Naoom, S. F., Blase, K. A., Friedman, R. M., & Wallace, F. (2005). Implementation research: a synthesis of the literature. (FMHI Publication No. 231). Tampa: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, National Implementation Research Network.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frantz, I., Stemmler, M., Hahlweg, K., Plük, J., & Heinrichs, N. (2015). Experiences in disseminating evidence-based prevention programs in real-world settings. Prevention Science, 16, 789–800. doi:10.1007/s11121-015-0554-y.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Glasgow, R. E., Vogt, T. M., & Boles, S. M. (1999). Evaluating the public health impact of health promotion interventions: the RE-AIM framework. American Journal of Public Health, 89, 1322–1327. doi:10.2105/AJPH.89.9.1322.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Greenhalgh, T., Robert, G., MacFarlane, R., Bate, P., & Kyriakidou, O. (2004). Diffusion of innovations in service organizations: systematic review and recommendations. The Milbank Quarterly, 82, 581–629. doi:10.1111/j.0887-378X.2004.00325.x.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Grol, R., & Wensing, M. (2005). Effective implementation: a model. In R. Grol, M. Wensing, & M. Eccles (Eds.), Improving patient care: the implementation of change in clinical practice (pp. 41–57). Edinburgh: Elsevier.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henggeler, S. W., Melton, G. B., Brondino, M. J., Scherer, D. G., & Hanley, J. H. (1997). Multisystemic therapy with violent and chronic juvenile offenders and their families: the role of treatment fidelity in successful dissemination. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 65, 821–833. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.65.5.821.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hurlburt, M., Aarons, G. A., Fettes, D., Willging, C., Gunderson, L., & Chaffin, M. J. (2014). Interagency collaborative team model for capacity building to scale-up evidence-based practice. Children and Youth Services Review, 39, 160–168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Joyce, B., & Showers, B. (2002). Student achievement through staff development (3rd ed.). Alexandria: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karoly, P. (1993). Mechanisms of self-regulation: a systems view. Annual Review of Psychology, 44, 23–52. doi:10.1146/annurev.ps.44.020193.000323.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kitson, A., Harvey, G., & McCormack, B. (1998). Enabling the implementation of evidence based practice: a conceptual framework. Quality in Health Care, 7, 149–158.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Little, M., Berry, V., Morpeth, L., Blower, S., Axford, N., Taylor, R., Bywater, T., Lehtonen, M., & Tobin, K. (2012). The impact of three evidence-based programmes delivered in public systems in Birmingham, UK. International Journal of Conflict and Violence, 6, 260–272.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oosthuizen, C., & Louw, J. (2013). Developing program theory for purveyor programs. Implementation Science, 8. doi: 10.1186/1748-5908-8-23.

  • Panzano, P. C., & Roth, D. (2006). The decision to adopt evidence-based and other innovative mental health practices: risky business? Psychiatric Services, 57, 1153–1161. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.57.8.1153.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Powell, B. J., McMillen, J. C., Proctor, E. K., Carpenter, C. R., Griffey, R. T., Bunger, A. C., … & York, J. L. (2012). A compilation of strategies for implementing clinical innovations in health and mental health. Medical Care Research and Review, 69, 123–157. doi:10.1177/1077558711430690.

  • Powell, B.J., Proctor, E.K., & Glass, J. E. (2014). A systematic review of strategies for implementing empirically supported mental health interventions. Research on Social Work Practice, 24. doi: 10.1177/1049731513505778.

  • Prinz, R. J., Sanders, M. R., Shapiro, C. J., Whitaker, D. J., & Lutzker, J. R. (2009). Population-based prevention of child maltreatment: the U.S. Triple P System Population Trial. Prevention Science, 10, 1–12. doi:10.1007/s11121-009-0123-3.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Proctor, E. K., Powell, B. J., & McMillen, J. C. (2013). Implementation strategies: recommendations for specifying and reporting. Implementation Science, 8. doi: 10.1186/1748-5908-8-139.

  • Rogers, E. M. (1995). Diffusion of innovations (4th ed.). New York: Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Romney, S., Israel, N., & Zlatevski, D. (2014). Exploration-stage implementation variation: its effect on the cost-effectiveness of an evidence-based parenting program. Zeitschrift für Psychologie, 222, 37–48. doi:10.1027/2151-2604/a000164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ross, J. G., Luepker, R. V., Nelson, G. D., Saavedra, P., & Hubbard, B. M. (1991). Teenage health teaching modules: impact of teacher training on implementation and student outcomes. Journal of School Health, 61, 31–34.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R. (2012). Development, evaluation, and multinational dissemination of the Triple P – positive parenting program. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 8, 345–379. doi:10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032511-143104.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R., Ralph, A., Sofronoff, K., Gardiner, P., Thompson, R., Dwyer, S., & Bidwell, K. (2008). Every family: a population approach to reducing behavioural and emotional problems in children making the transition to school. Journal of Primary Prevention, 29, 197–222. doi:10.1007/s10935-008-0139-7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R., Kirby, J. N., Tellegen, C. L., & Day, J. J. (2014). The Triple P-positive parenting program: a systematic review and meta-analysis of a multi-level system of parenting support. Clinical Psychology Review, 34, 337–357. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2014.04.003.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R., Turner, K., & McWilliam, J. (2016). The Triple P—positive parenting program: a community-wide approach to parenting and family support. In M. J. Van Ryzin, K. L. Kumpfer, G. M. Fosco, & M. T. Greenberg (Eds.), Family-based prevention programs for children and adolescents. Psychology Press.

  • Schofield, J. (2004). A model of learned implementation. Public Administration, 82, 283–308. doi:10.1111/j.0033-3298.2004.00395.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sethi, S., Kerns, S. E. U., Sanders, M. R., & Ralph, A. (2014). The international dissemination of evidence-based parenting interventions: impact on practitioner content and process self-efficacy. International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 16, 126–137. doi:10.1080/14623730.2014.917896.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro, C. J., Prinz, R. J., & Sanders, M. R. (2010). Population-based provider engagement in delivery of evidence-based parenting interventions: challenges and solutions. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 31, 223–234. doi:10.1007/s10935-010-0210-z.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro, C. J., Prinz, R. J., & Sanders, M. R. (2015). Sustaining use of an evidence-based parenting intervention: practitioner perspectives. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 24, 1615–1624. doi:10.1007/s10826-014-9965-9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turner, K. M. T., Nicholson, J. M., & Sanders, M. R. (2011). The role of practitioner self-efficacy, training, program and workplace factors on the implementation of an evidence-based parenting intervention in primary care. Journal of Primary Prevention, 32, 95–112. doi:10.1007/s10935-011-0240-1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Washington State Institute for Public Policy (2004). Outcome Evaluation of Washington state’s research-based programs for juvenile offenders. Retrieved from: http://wsipp.wa.gov/ReportFile/852.

  • Winter, S. G., & Szulanski, G. (2001). Replication as strategy. Organization Science, 12, 730–743. doi:10.1287/orsc.12.6.730.10084.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization. (2009). Preventing violence through the development of safe, stable and nurturing relationships between children and their parents and caregivers. Series of briefings on violence prevention: the evidence. Geneva: World Health Organization.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zubrick, S. R., Ward, K. A., Silburn, S. R., Lawrence, D., Williams, A. A., Blair, E., … & Sanders, M. R. (2005). Prevention of child behavior problems through universal implementation of a group behavioral family intervention. Prevention Science, 6, 287–304. doi: 10.1007/s11121-005-0013-2.

Download references

Acknowledgments

The development of the Triple P Implementation Framework was funded by Triple P International Pty Ltd. A number of employees at Triple P International contributed to the development of the Framework. The core working group members included Jenna McWilliam, Jacquie Brown, Debbie Easton, Randall Ahn, Sara van Driel, and Sarah Munro. The authors thank Natasha Smouha and Felicity Smith for her help in editing this paper.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jenna McWilliam.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The Triple P–Positive Parenting Program® (Triple P) is owned by The University of Queensland. The University, through its technology transfer company, UniQuest Pty Ltd, has licensed Triple P International Pty Ltd to publish and disseminate the program worldwide. Royalties stemming from published Triple P resources are distributed to the Parenting and Family Support Centre, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, and contributory authors. No author has any share or ownership in Triple P International Pty Ltd. Jenna McWilliam is an employee of Triple P International. Jacquie Brown is a consultant with Triple P International. Matthew Sanders is the founder of Triple P, an author, and a part-time consultant with Triple P International Pty Ltd.

Ethical Approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. For this type of study, formal consent is not required.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

McWilliam, J., Brown, J., Sanders, M.R. et al. The Triple P Implementation Framework: the Role of Purveyors in the Implementation and Sustainability of Evidence-Based Programs. Prev Sci 17, 636–645 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-016-0661-4

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-016-0661-4

Keywords

Navigation