This paper reports on the analysis of outcomes for the Birmingham Brighter Futures strategy via randomized controlled trial; the evaluation examined three programs that make up the Birmingham strategy and the authors provide an overview of their research methodology and results.
The Birmingham Brighter Futures strategy was informed by epidemiological data on child well-being and evidence on “what works,” and included the implementation and evaluation of three evidence-based programs in regular children’s services systems, as well as an integrated prospective cost-effectiveness analysis which was reported elsewhere. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the Incredible Years BASIC parenting program involved 161 children aged three and four at risk of a social-emotional or behavioral disorder. An RCT of the universal PATHS social-emotional learning curriculum involved children aged four-to-six years in 56 primary schools. An RCT of the Level 4 Group Triple-P parenting program involved parents of 146 children aged four-to-nine years with potential social-emotional or behavioral disorders. All three studies used validated standardized measures. Both parenting program trials used parent-completed measures of child and parenting behavior. The school-based trial used teacher reports of children’s behavior, emotions, and social competence. Incredible Years yielded reductions in negative parenting behaviors among parents, reductions in child behavior problems, and improvements in children’s relationships. In the PATHS trial, modest improvements in emotional health and behavioral development after one year disappeared by the end of year two. There were no effects for Triple-P. Much can be learned from the strengths and limitations of the Birmingham experience. Publisher Abstract Provided