NCJ Number
230787
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 34 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2010 Pages: 253-261
Date Published
April 2010
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This study investigated the effectiveness of a parent training program (PTP), "Incredible Years," for parents referred for child abuse or neglect in Montreal, Canada.
Abstract
The implementation of "Incredible Years" in a child protection service proved beneficial for both parents and children. Though the implementation of an evidence-based parent-training program by professionals in a child protection service presents specific challenges, results suggest that it can contribute to improvements in parenting practices and in parents' perceptions of their child's behavior. "Incredible Years" program is related to improvements in parenting practices and child behavior, as parents learn to use adequate reinforcement, and to use punishment consistently. Findings show that the program has a positive impact on parenting practice and parents' perception of their child's behavior. Following their participation in "Incredible Years," parents use less harsh discipline, more praise and incentives, more appropriate discipline, and more positive verbal discipline. They also have better monitoring strategies versus the control group. Additionally post-program, parents observed few and less frequent disruptive behaviors in their child. Many of the parents who participated in the PTP perceived that their child grew out of the clinical level in regards to the number and frequency of their behavior problems. Data were collected from 35 parents who participated in "Incredible Years" for 16 weeks; parents were tested twice, before and after the PTP, to determine the program's effects on parenting practices, parents' feelings of self-efficacy, parents' perception of their child's behavior, and parents' satisfaction. Tables and references