A competency-based parent training program for child abusers.

Evaluated an intervention program for child abusers using multiple outcome criteria and extended follow-up. 16 families were given the Parent–Child Interaction Form and the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory and were assigned to either treatment or control groups. All families were supervised by protective services, and none had requested help voluntarily. A treatment program involving group parent training in the clinic and competency-based training and rehearsal in the home was provided. Findings indicate that training abusive Ss in child-management and self-control techniques resulted in improvements in parenting skills as measured by home observations, parental reports of child-behavior problems, and caseworker reports of family problems. A 1-yr follow-up indicated that no incidences of child abuse among treatment families had been reported to or suspected by caseworkers. (23 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Children of Divorce Intervention Program: An investigation of the efficacy of a school-based prevention program.

Evaluated the effectiveness of a school-based, preventive 10-wk group program for 4th–6th grade children of divorce. The program, a modified version of the children's support group used by A. L. Stolberg et al (1982) and Stolberg and P. M. Cullen (1983), creates a group atmosphere in which children can share divorce-related feelings, clarify common misconceptions, and reduce feelings of isolation and build competence. Participants are taught problem-solving, communication, and anger-control skills to help them cope adaptively with challenges posed by parental divorce. 72 3rd–6th graders who were children of divorce, in demographically matched groups, were randomly assigned to an immediate intervention (experimental) or a delayed intervention (control) group. The experimental group improved significantly more on teacher ratings of problem behaviors and competence and parent ratings of adjustment and self-reported anxiety. Group leaders also rated experimental Ss as having improved significantly. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Intensive child parent relationship therapy with Israeli parents in Israel.

This study was designed to determine the effectiveness of an intensive child parent relationship therapy (CPRT)—filial therapy training (G. L. Landreth & S. Bratton, 2006)—as a method of intervention for Israeli parents in Israel, families who are experiencing prolonged stress and trauma since Israel's creation. Results of the multivariate analysis of covariance revealed that the Israeli parents in the experimental group (14 parents) significantly increased their level of empathic interactions with their children and their attitude of acceptance toward their children and significantly reduced their level of stress related to parenting as compared with parents in the nontreatment comparison group (13 parents). This study supports the use of CPRT for promoting the child–parent relationship in Israeli parents living in Israel. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Preventing problems with boys' noncompliance: Effects of a parent training intervention for divorcing mothers.

This study provided a randomized, experimental test of the efficacy of a parent training intervention on coercive discipline, positive parenting practices, and child noncompliance in a sample of 238 divorcing mothers and their sons in Grades 1–3. Intervention effects were evaluated 5 times from baseline to 30 months. The intervention produced enduring benefits to coercive discipline, positive parenting, and boys' noncompliance. These benefits followed a classic prevention effect: Mothers and sons in the experimental group maintained stable outcome trajectories, whereas those in the control group deteriorated. The intervention's impact on boys' noncompliance was mediated independently by its impact on coercive discipline and positive parenting. Change in positive parenting was more strongly associated with change in noncompliance than was change in coercive discipline, although each explained unique variance in change in noncompliance. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Parent training for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: its impact on parent functioning

This study examined changes in parent functioning resulting from parental participation in a behavioral parent training (PT) program specifically designed for school-aged children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Relative to wait list controls, subjects who completed the nine-session PT program showed significant posttreatment gains in both child and parent functioning, which were maintained 2 months after treatment. In particular, there were PT-induced reductions in parenting stress and increases in parenting self-esteem, which accompanied parent-reported improvements in the overall severity of their child's ADHD symptoms. In addition to their statistical importance, these findings are discussed in terms of their clinical significance, utilizing methods developed by Jacobson and Truax (1991).     

Mothers’ and fathers’ personality and parenting: The mediating role of sense of competence.

This prospective longitudinal study addressed 3 key questions regarding the processes of parenting in a large community sample of mothers (n = 589) and fathers (n = 518). First, the collective impact of parental Big Five personality dimensions on overreactive and warm parenting, assessed 6 years later by adolescents, was examined. Second, mediation of these associations by sense of competence in the parenting role was addressed. Third, it was explored to what extent associations were similar for mothers and fathers. Agreeableness and Extraversion were related to lower levels of overreactivity and higher levels of warmth. Sense of competence completely mediated relations between personality and overreactivity and partially mediated relations between personality and warmth. The associations were found to be similar for mothers and fathers. Overall, sense of competence was shown to be an important mechanism that can explain the link between personality and parenting. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of desensitization treatment on core-condition training.

Tested the prediction that training for helping skills when paired with desensitization treatment will improve significantly the posttest ratings of the trainee's helping function. 2 groups of 9 male and 7 female adult trainees each were matched systematically and trained over a 6-wk period to function in a helping role. Ss received preliminary training in empathy, respect, concreteness, and genuineness. Following preliminary training, the experimental group received 1 wk. of desensitization treatment; the control group did not. Both the control and experimental Ss proceeded to a 6-wk advanced training in empathy, respect, concreteness, and genuineness. Results of pre- and posttest ratings on measures of helping skills in the preliminary and advanced training indicate a significant training effect was obtained for both groups. Desensitization treatment was a significant source of variance for the experimental Ss in training (p     

Hypnotic analgesia and stress inoculation in the reduction of pain.

Investigated the influence of hypnotic ability on 3 methods of reducing cold-pressor pain. Following a baseline immersion, 30 high- and 30 low-hypnotizable undergraduates were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups: stress inoculation training, stress inoculation training defined as hypnosis, or hypnotic analgesia. Analysis of pain reports indicated a significant hypnotic ability?×?treatment interaction. Among Ss receiving hypnotic analgesia, high-hypnotizables reported significantly less intense pain than lows. There was no differential response for high- and low-hypnotizable Ss receiving stress inoculation training, whether or not it was defined as hypnotic. Moreover, Ss in the stress inoculation condition (whether or not defined as hypnosis) reported using cognitive strategies to reduce pain, whereas this was not the case for Ss in the hypnotic analgesia condition. The present findings seem inconsistent with the social psychological account of hypnosis and are discussed from a dissociation perspective, which views hypnosis as involving changes in the way information is processed. (56 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Impact of a two-generation early education program on parenting processes at age 18.

The Infant Health and Development Program is a two-generation early education model designed to improve parenting competence and child well-being. As part of an 8-site randomized clinical trial involving low birthweight premature children, assessments of children and parents were gathered at the time of program completion (age 3), with follow-up at ages 5, 8, and 18. Two key parenting processes were assessed at age 18 based on theory stipulating the centrality of parenting to long-term development in children. Analyses based on 283 control group and 178 Infant Health and Development Program treatment group participants revealed that treatment group mothers scored higher on one, the provision of enriching experiences. Evidence of sustained impacts on parenting suggests that carefully structured two-generation early education programs may prove good investments for promoting competence and adaptive functioning in high-risk children. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Interactions among operator variables, system dynamics, and task-induced stress.

The relative efficiency of several machines is studied under conditions of operator stress. "Forty-eight naval enlisted men served as Ss in the three experiments—16 Ss per experiment." In each of the 3 experiments, the Ss were divided into 2 groups of 8: an experimental and a control group. 3 systems were employed: acceleration control, acceleration aided control, and position control. In Experiment I, one group used the acceleration; the other used the acceleration aided. In Experiment II, one group used the acceleration and the other the acceleration aided. In Experiment III, one group used position control and the other the acceleration. Stress was introduced in all cases as the trials progressed. "The better systems retained their advantage under stress… . Thus, within the confines of the present studies the "engineering" variable of system dynamics proved to be ascendent over the "psychological" variables of selection and training in determining relative performance under stress." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Increase in assertiveness and actualization as a function of didactic training.

Investigated whether didactic training could increase level of assertiveness and actualization. 65 low assertive undergraduates were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 groups. All groups except a no-treatment control group were exposed to 3 20-min videotapes during 1 wk. Group 1 was exposed to the didactic principles of Rogerian theory; Group 2 was given the didactic principles of assertiveness theory. All Ss were given a test battery administered before treatment, after treatment, and again at a 3-wk follow-up. Both Rogerian and assertiveness training increased the level of actualization and the level of time competence at posttesting and at follow-up; the effect of didactic training was significantly greater than the increase caused by inspiration or expectation. Didactic training, however, did not affect assertiveness. (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Maternal and paternal parenting: Critical dimensions in adolescent functioning.

Three dimensions of parenting exhibited by mothers and fathers were examined: acceptance, firm control, and psychological control. Ss were 70 adolescents and their parents. The results indicated that (1) mothers reported exhibiting each parenting dimension more than fathers; (2) acceptance by each parent predicted that parent's relationship with the adolescent; (3) the father's acceptance score was the primary predictor of adolescent functioning outside the home; and (4) the mother's and the father's parenting styles interacted to predict some areas of adolescent functioning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The generalization of the effects of agreement and correctness on relative competence mediating conformity.

Presented a social communication task to 215 Canadian high school students (Grades 8-13). Results show that correctness and group agreement interacted with grade level, producing varying degrees of perceived competence relative to a simulated group. For Ss in Grades 8-10 only, the experimental manipulation of relative competence influenced conformity; Ss who were told that they were more competent than the group conformed less than those who were told that they were either less competent than or as competent as the group. Ss who perceived themselves to be more competent than the group also conformed less. Other findings are that: (a) females showed significantly higher conformity, (b) Ss in Grades 11-13 indicated more suspicion and awareness of the possibility of deception, and (c) no differences in conformity existed between suspicious and nonsuspicious Ss. (French summary) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reduction of autonomic arousal in alcoholics: A comparison of relaxation and meditation techniques.

Investigated and compared the effects of progressive relaxation training and meditation training on autonomic arousal in alcoholics with 30 Ss (mean age, 45.1 yrs) who were selected from a hospital substance-abuse program. The Ss were randomly assigned to 1 of the following 3 experimental conditions: (a) progressive relaxation training group, (b) meditation training group, or (c) quiet rest control group. All groups met for 3 wks during which state anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), blood pressure, heart rate, and spontaneous GSRs were measured. The measures were designed to assess the treatment effects following the 1st training session and at the end of the total training period. Results indicate that both progressive relaxation training and medication training are useful for reducing blood pressure in alcoholics. In addition, significant differences between the groups in the effectiveness of the relaxation procedures were found. Meditation training induced blood pressure decreases at an earlier point in the 3-wk training period and affected decreases in systolic blood pressure that progressive relaxation training did not. Results support the idea of considerable specificity of response to relaxation techniques. (16 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Managing organizational stress: A field experiment.

79 public agency employees (mean age 39 yrs) were randomly assigned to stress-management training or control conditions. The training program consisted of 16 hrs of group exposure over 8 wks. Using procedures based on those developed by D. H. Meichenbaum (1975), treatment Ss were taught to recognize and alter their cognitive interpretations to stressful events at work. Ss were also taught progressive relaxation techniques to supplement this process. Dependent variables were epinephrine and norepinephrine excretion at work, anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), depression, irritation, and somatic complaints, all measured at 3 times (pretest, posttest, and 4 mo after treatment). Treatment Ss exhibited significantly lower epinephrine and depression levels than did controls at posttest, and 4-mo follow-up levels did not regress to pretest levels. However, treatment effects were not replicated in a subsequent intervention on the original control group. The general adoption of such stress management programs is not recommended. (26 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Early intervention for parents at risk of child abuse and neglect: A preliminary investigation.

An early intervention program for young parents and children who have been identified as being at risk of child maltreatment was evaluated. Thirty mother–child dyads were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: (a) an information group offered by the child protection agency (which served as a control condition) or (b) a special program of behavioral parent training in addition to the agency group. Self-report measures indicated that significant improvements in parenting risk and child behavior problems at posttest and at 3-month follow-up were evident only for mothers who received parent training in addition to information groups. Home observation data were inconclusive, possibly due to the limited opportunities to observe behaviors of interest. Both groups showed improvements in their child-rearing environments and in their children's adaptive behaviors at follow-up. Caseworker ratings of clients' risks of maltreatment and abilities to manage their families at 1-year follow-up significantly favored the families who received parent training in addition to information. Methodological and treatment issues arising from this preliminary investigation of early intervention with diverse population of high-risk parents and children are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Pretreatment social relations, therapeutic alliance, and improvements in parenting practices in parent management training.

The authors examined the parent-therapist alliance in parent management training for children (N = 218; 53 girls and 165 boys, ages 2-14) referred clinically for oppositional, aggressive, and antisocial behavior. The interrelations of pretreatment parent social relationships, the parent-therapist alliance over the course of treatment, and improvements in parenting practices at the end of treatment were evaluated by different raters. As expected, the better the quality of the parent-therapist alliance, the greater the improvements in parenting practices by the end of treatment. Social relations of the parents prior to treatment were associated with the parent-therapist alliance during treatment and parental improvements at the end of treatment. The relation between the therapeutic alliance and improvement in parenting practices was partially explained by pretreatment parent social relations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of discussion and role-play activities in the acquisition of consultant interview skills.

15 graduate students in each of 2 experimental groups were enrolled in a consultation course in which they received a didactic explanation and viewed a videotaped demonstration of consultant interview skills. Ss in the 1st experimental group participated in role-play practice activities; Ss in the 2nd experimental group participated in discussion activities. 15 graduate students not enrolled in the course comprised a 3rd group, and they received no training. Interview skills of all groups were assessed by rating Ss' oral responses to simulated videotaped consultation interview segments. Results indicate that Ss in the role-play group made a significantly higher mean number of appropriate responses than Ss in either the discussion or control groups. No significant differences were found between Ss in the role-play and discussion groups on degree of satisfaction with the course. (7 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cognitive problem-solving skills training and parent management training in the treatment of antisocial behavior in children.

Evaluated the effects of problem-solving skills training (PSST) and parent management training (PMT) on 97 children (aged 7–13 yrs) referred for severe antisocial behavior. Children and families were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 conditions: PSST, PMT, or PSST and PMT combined. It was predicted that (1) each treatment would improve child functioning (reduce overall deviance and aggressive, antisocial, and delinquent behavior, and increase prosocial competence); and (2) PSST and PMT combined would lead to more marked, pervasive, and durable changes in child functioning and greater changes in parent functioning (parental stress, depression, and overall symptoms). Expectations were supported by results at posttreatment and 1-yr follow-up. PSST and PMT combined led to more marked changes in child and parent functioning and placed a greater proportion of youth within the range of nonclinic (normative) levels of functioning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effectiveness of filial therapy for Korean parents.

Explored the effectiveness of filial therapy in enhancing the parent–child relationship of Korean parents (aged 30–42 yrs) of kindergartners (aged 4–8 yrs). The experimental design of the study was a pretest–posttest, control group design in which all of the parents (32 Ss) completed 3 instruments, the Porter Parental Acceptance Scale, the Parenting Stress Index, and the Filial Problem Checklist. The parents were also videotaped playing with their child before and after the training as a means of measuring empathic behavior in parent–child interactions. Results of quantitative and qualitative analyses indicate that Korean parents can learn basic skills of play therapy and improve the relationship with their children. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)