Promoting Healthy Screen Media Use in Young Children With Externalizing Behavior Problems Through an Adapted Parenting Intervention: Results of an Open Trial

Abstract

In this article, we describe the development of an adapted parenting intervention for caregivers of preschoolers with externalizing behavior problems, which integrates content around screen media use into an existing evidence-based parenting intervention. We also present results of an open trial examining the feasibility, acceptability, and initial outcomes of the adapted intervention in a sample of 10 low-income caregivers of children with externalizing behavior problems who were attending a community-based therapeutic summer program. Caregivers attended a once weekly (1.5-hour) intervention group, which was embedded in an 8-week community-based therapeutic program for children with externalizing behavior, and completed questionnaires at pretest, posttest, and 1 month following the intervention, and completed interviews about their experiences. Caregiver satisfaction with the adapted intervention was high, and fidelity and attendance measures suggested the intervention was feasible. Preliminary results showed postintervention improvements in caregivers’ skills in managing screen media use, including increases in caregiver self-efficacy to manage and set limits around screen media use. Results suggest that leveraging existing parenting interventions to promote healthy media use habits may be a promising avenue to maximize reach to families with children with externalizing behavior.