Skip to main content
Log in

The Development and Dissemination of the Triple P—Positive Parenting Program: A Multilevel, Evidence-Based System of Parenting and Family Support

  • Published:
Prevention Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper describes the theoretical and empirical basis of a unique multilevel system of parenting and family support known as the Triple P—Positive Parenting Program. The program incorporates five levels of intervention on a tiered continuum of increasing strength and narrowing population reach. The self-regulation framework of the program is discussed and an ecological or systems-contextual approach to dissemination of the program to service providers is highlighted. Implementation issues to consider in effective program dissemination are discussed including managing the “politics” of family support, strategies for coping with changes in government, maintaining quality, balancing cost and sustainability, and remaining data responsive. Future research directions are identified.

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.

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Ash, J. (1997). Organizational factors that influence information technology diffusion in academic health science centers. Journal of the American Information Association, 4, 102–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Backer, T. E., Liberman, R. P., & Kuehnl, T. G. (1986). Dissemination and adoption of innovative psychosocial interventions. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54, 111–118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A. (1989). Regulation of cognitive processes through perceived self-efficacy. Developmental Psychology, 25, 729–735.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A. (1995). Self-efficacy in changing societies. New York: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Becker, D. M., Hill, D. R., Jackson, J. S., Levine, D. M., Stillman, F. A., & Weiss, S. M. (1992). Health Behavior Research in minority populations: Access, design and implementation. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

  • Biglan, A., Mrazek, P. J., & Carnine,D. (1999). Strategies for translating research into practice. Unpublished manuscript.

  • Bor, W., Sanders, M. R., & Markie-Dadds, C. (in press). The effects of the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program in preschool children with co-occurring disruptive behavior and attentional/hyperactive difficulties. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology.

  • Christensen, A. P., & Sanders, M. R. (1987). Habit reversal and DRO in the treatment of thumbsucking: An analysis of generalization and side effects. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 28, 281–295.

    Google Scholar 

  • Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care. (2000a). National action plan for promotion, prevention and early intervention for mental health. Canberra: Mental Health and Special Programs Branch, Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care.

    Google Scholar 

  • Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care. (2000b). LIFE-Living is for everyone: A framework for prevention of suicide and self-harm in Australia. Canberra: Mental Health and Special Programs Branch, Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care.

    Google Scholar 

  • Connell, S., Sanders, M. R., & Markie-Dadds, C. (1997). Self-directed behavioral family intervention for parents of oppositional children in rural and remote areas. Behavior Modification, 21(4), 379–408.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dadds, M. R., Schwartz, S., & Sanders, M. R. (1987). Marital discord and treatment outcome in the treatment of childhood conduct disorders. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55, 396–403.

    Google Scholar 

  • Emery, R. E. (1982). Interparental conflict and the children of discord and divorce. Psychological Bulletin, 9, 310–330.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grych, J. H., & Fincham, F. D. (1990). Marital conflict and children's adjustment:Acognitive-contextual framework. Psychological Bulletin, 108, 267–290.

    Google Scholar 

  • Halford, K. W., & Sanders, M. R. (1994). Self-regulation in behavioral couples' therapy. Behavior Therapy, 25, 431–452.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harrold, M., Lutzker, J. R., Campbell, R. V., & Touchette, P. E. (1992). Improving parent-child interactions for families with developmental disabilities. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 23, 89–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hart, B. M., & Risley, T. R. (1995). Meaningful differences in the everyday experience of young American children. Sydney: Paul. H. Brooks.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henggeler, S. W., Melton, G. B., Brondino, M. J., Schereer, D. G., & Hanely, 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.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holloway, E. L., & Neufeldt, S. A. (1995). Supervision: Its contributions to treatment efficacy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 63, 207–213.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karoly, P. (1993). Mechanisms of self-regulation: A systems view. Annual Review of Psychology, 44, 23–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kazdin, A. E. (1991). Effectiveness of psychotherapy with children and adolescents. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 59, 785–798.

    Google Scholar 

  • McMahon, R. J., & Wells, K. C. (1998). Conduct problems. In E. J. Mash, R. A. Barkley, et al. (Eds.), Assessment of childhood disorders (2nd ed., pp. 111–207). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicholson, J. M., & Sanders, M. R. (1999). Randomized controlled trial of behavioral family intervention for the treatment of child behavior problems in stepfamilies. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 30, 1–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parcel, G. S., Perry, C. L., & Taylor, W. C. (1990). Beyond demonstration: Diffusion of health promotion innovations. In N. Bracht (Ed.), Health promotion at the community level: Sage sourcebooks for the human services series, Vol. 15 (pp. 229–251). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patterson, G. R. (1982). Coercive family process. Eugene, OR: Castalia.

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, M. (1985). Family and school influences on behavioural development. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 26, 349–368.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R. (1992). Every parent: A positive guide to children's behaviour. Sydney, Australia: Addison-Wesley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R. (Ed.). (1995). Healthy families, healthy nation: Strategies for promoting family mental health in Australia. Brisbane: Australian Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R. (1996). New directions in behavioral family intervention with children. In T. H. Ollendick & R. J. Prinz (Eds.), Advances in clinical child psychology (pp. 283–330). New York: Plenum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R. (1998). The empirical status of psychological interventions with families of children and adolescents. In L. L'Abate (Ed.), Family psychopathology: The relational roots of dysfunctional behavior. New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R. (1999). The Triple P-Positive Parenting Program: Towards an empirically validated multilevel parenting and family support strategy for the prevention of behavior and emotional problems in children. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 2, 71–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R. (2001). Helping families change: From clinical interventions to population-based strategies. In A. Booth, A. C. Crouter, & M. Clements (Eds.), Couples in conflict (pp. 185–219). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R., & Christensen, A. P. (1985). A comparison of the effects of child management and planned activities training across five parenting environments. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 13, 101–117.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R., Markie-Dadds, C., Rinaldis, M., Firman, D., & Baig, N. (2002). Strengthening families:Asurvey of Queensland families. Brisbane, Australia: Queensland Health.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R., Markie-Dadds, C., Tully, L. A., & Bor, W. (2000a). The Triple P-Positive Parenting Program: A comparison of enhanced, standard, and self-directed behavioral family intervention for parents of children with early onset conduct problems. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 68, 624–640.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R., Markie-Dadds, C., & Turner, K. M. T. (Producers/Directors). (1996). Every parent's survival guide [videotape and booklet]. Brisbane, Australia: Families International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R., Markie-Dadds, C., & Turner, K. M. T. (2001). Practitioner's manual for Standard Triple P. Brisbane, Australia: Families International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R., Markie-Dadds, C., Turner, K. M. T., & Brechman-Toussaint, M. (2000b). Triple P-Positive Parenting Program: A guide to the system. Brisbane, Australia: Families International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R., & McFarland, M. L. (2000). The treatment of depressed mothers with disruptive children: A controlled evaluation of cognitive behavioral family intervention. Behavior Therapy, 31, 89–112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R., Montgomery, D., & Brechman-Toussaint, M. (2000c). Mass media and the prevention of child behaviour problems. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 41, 939–948.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R., & Plant, K. (1989). Programming for generalization to high and low risk parenting situations in families with oppositional developmentally disabled preschoolers. Behaviour Modification, 13, 283–305.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R., Rebgetz, M., Morrison, M., Bor, W., Dadds, M., & Shepherd, R. W. (1989). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of recurrent nonspecific abdominal pain in children: An analysis of generalization, maintenance, and side effects. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 57, 294–300.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R., Shepherd, R. W., Cleghorn, G., & Woolford, H. (1994). The treatment of recurrent abdominal pain in children: Acontrolled comparison of cognitive-behavioral family intervention and standard pediatric care. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 62, 306–314.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sultana, C., Matthews, J., De Bortoli, D., & Cann, W. (2000, February). Outcome evaluation of the primary care level of the Positive Parenting Program implemented in a community setting by primary care practitioners. Paper presented at the Helping Families Change Conference: 2000 and Beyond, Brisbane, Australia.

  • Turner, K. M. T., & Sanders, M. R. (2002, June). Dissemination of psychological innovation to primary care professionals: Effectiveness and program uptake. Paper presented at the 3rd International Conference on Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Brisbane, Australia.

  • Turner, K., Sanders, M. R., & Wall, C. (1994). A comparison of behavioral parent training and standard education in the treatment of persistent feeding difficulties in children. Behaviour Change, 11, 105–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Webster-Stratton, C., & Taylor, T. K. (1998). Adopting and implementing empirically supported interventions: A recipe for success. In A. Buchanan & B. L. Hudson (Eds.), Parenting, schooling and children's behaviour: Interdisciplinary approaches (pp. 127–160). Hampshire, UK: Ashgate.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, A. A., Zubrick, S. R., Silburn, S. R., & Sanders, M. R. (1997). A population based intervention to prevent childhood conduct disorder: The Perth Positive Parenting Program demonstration project. Paper presented at the 9th National Health Promotion Conference, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sanders, M.R., Turner, K.M.T. & Markie-Dadds, C. The Development and Dissemination of the Triple P—Positive Parenting Program: A Multilevel, Evidence-Based System of Parenting and Family Support. Prev Sci 3, 173–189 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1019942516231

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1019942516231

Navigation