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Parent-Child Interaction Therapy: A Comparison of Standard and Abbreviated Treatments for Oppositional Defiant Preschoolers

NCJ Number
306976
Journal
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology Volume: 71 Issue: 2 Dated: 2002 Pages: 251-60
Date Published
2003
Length
10 pages
Annotation

This trial studied treatments for families of behaviorally disturbed preschool-aged children and determined that abbreviated parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) may benefit families with young conduct problem children.

Abstract

Findings indicate that abbreviated parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) may benefit families with young conduct problem children. Families of 54 behaviorally disturbed preschool-aged children (3 to 5 years) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment conditions: standard parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT; STD); modified PCIT that used didactic videotapes, telephone consultations, and face-to-face sessions to abbreviate treatment; and a no-treatment waitlist control group (WL). Twenty-one nondisturbed preschoolers were recruited as a social validation comparison condition. Posttreatment assessment indicated significant differences in parent-reported externalizing behavior in children, and parental stress and discipline practices from both treatment groups on most measures compared with the WL group. Clinical significance testing suggested a superior effect for the STD immediately after intervention, but by 6-month follow-up, the two groups were comparable. (Published Abstract Provided)

Date Published: January 1, 2003