Reducing childhood externalizing behavior: A feasibility RCT of the being a Parent program

IF 4.2 2区心理学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL

Behaviour Research and Therapy Pub Date : 2025-04-01 DOI:10.1016/j.brat.2025.104737

Laura Maciel , Miguel Basto-Pereira , Crispin Day

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective

Rising rates of childhood behavioral problems are a global concern and in Portugal cases of behavioral problems in youth have been following international trends. Parenting interventions are widely regarded as one of the most effective ways to address externalizing behaviors early on, and thus their dissemination is crucial. This paper presents a feasibility randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted in Portugal to evaluate the effectiveness of a parenting intervention for childhood behavioral problems. Our goals were threefold: a) assess feasibility parameters; b) evaluate program fidelity and acceptability; and c) examine the program's potential impact on child behavior, parenting skills, parental concern, and parental competence.

Method

A double-blinded, two-arm design was employed. Fifty-five families of children aged 2–11 years old who reported difficulties managing their child's behavior were included. Parents were randomly assigned to either the intervention group or a waitlist control group, and the intervention group participated in the eight-week "Being a Parent" program (Portuguese version: Ser Pai & Ser Mãe). Data were collected at two time points (pre- and post-intervention) using quantitative measures.

Results

Findings confirmed the program's successful implementation in Portugal and demonstrated significant positive effects, particularly in reducing externalizing behavior, as well as aggressive behavior, and increasing parental competence, more specifically parental satisfaction.

Conclusions

This study represents the first trial of the Being a Parent program conducted outside the UK, and highlights its potential for broader international application. Key challenges and clinical implications are also addressed.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (nº NCT05626244).

查看原文本刊更多论文

减少儿童外化行为：为人父母计划的可行性随机对照试验

客观地说，儿童期行为问题发生率的提高是一个全球关注的问题，在葡萄牙，青少年行为问题的案例一直遵循国际趋势。父母干预被广泛认为是早期解决外化行为的最有效方法之一，因此它们的传播至关重要。本文介绍了在葡萄牙进行的一项可行性随机对照试验（RCT），以评估父母干预儿童行为问题的有效性。我们的目标有三个：a)评估可行性参数；B)评估程序的保真度和可接受性；c)检查该项目对儿童行为、养育技能、父母关心和父母能力的潜在影响。方法采用双盲、双臂设计。55个有2-11岁儿童的家庭被纳入研究，这些家庭报告说他们在管理孩子的行为方面存在困难。父母被随机分配到干预组和候补对照组，干预组参加了为期八周的“为人父母”项目(葡萄牙语版：Ser Pai &；Ser Mae)。使用定量测量方法在两个时间点（干预前和干预后）收集数据。研究结果证实了该项目在葡萄牙的成功实施，并显示出显著的积极效果，特别是在减少外化行为和攻击行为方面，提高了父母的能力，更具体地说是父母的满意度。这项研究是“为人父母”项目在英国以外进行的第一次试验，并突出了其在国际上广泛应用的潜力。还讨论了主要挑战和临床意义。临床试验注册网站clinicaltrials .gov （NCT05626244）。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Behaviour Research and Therapy PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL-

CiteScore

7.50

自引率

7.30%

发文量

148

期刊介绍： The major focus of Behaviour Research and Therapy is an experimental psychopathology approach to understanding emotional and behavioral disorders and their prevention and treatment, using cognitive, behavioral, and psychophysiological (including neural) methods and models. This includes laboratory-based experimental studies with healthy, at risk and subclinical individuals that inform clinical application as well as studies with clinically severe samples. The following types of submissions are encouraged: theoretical reviews of mechanisms that contribute to psychopathology and that offer new treatment targets; tests of novel, mechanistically focused psychological interventions, especially ones that include theory-driven or experimentally-derived predictors, moderators and mediators; and innovations in dissemination and implementation of evidence-based practices into clinical practice in psychology and associated fields, especially those that target underlying mechanisms or focus on novel approaches to treatment delivery. In addition to traditional psychological disorders, the scope of the journal includes behavioural medicine (e.g., chronic pain). The journal will not consider manuscripts dealing primarily with measurement, psychometric analyses, and personality assessment.