Parenting Responses as Transdiagnostic Treatment Targets in a Youth Partial Hospitalization Program.

Abstract

Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) are a growing sector of the mental health landscape. Parent participation is likely critical for supporting youth skill acquisition and maintenance, but there are few investigations in this area. Our aims were to examine: (1) changes in four parenting responses (accommodation, positive parenting, discipline, self-efficacy) from admission to 1-month post-PHP follow-up; and (2) associations between changes in parenting responses and changes in parent-reported youth symptoms, emotional reactivity, and impairment. Participants were parents of 152 youth (M age = 13.14, range = 6-17) who participated in a general psychiatric PHP using the Unified Protocols for Children and Adolescents. Latent growth curve modeling revealed significant reductions in accommodation and inconsistent discipline, as well as increases in self-efficacy and positive parenting. Changes in parental accommodation and self-efficacy were associated with changes in youth symptoms and impairment. Results highlight the importance of targeting specific parenting responses in intensive treatment settings.