Group-based Parenting Program to Reduce Child Conduct Disorder Symptoms in Finland

According to studies, approximately 20% of children having contact with child protection services have conduct disorder. Negative parenting can make this problem even worse. Research has shown Incredible Years Program to be one of the most effective programs to prevent and reduce child conduct problems. This study is an randomized controlled trial, which evaluates the suitability and effectiveness of group-based Incredible Years program in child protection and family support services. The aim of this study is to find out whether this intervention reduces children's psychiatric symptoms, especially conduct symptoms, increases positive parenting and positive interaction between parents and children, and reduces children's and parent's stress and increase well-being. The study will be carried out in 2015-2018. Overall 101 children and 120 parents participate in the study.

1. Introduction Parenting skills and home environment play a major role in children's development and safety, especially in early childhood. Studies have shown that maltreating parents have poor child management techniques, high levels of hostile feelings, reduced emotional responsiveness and escalated verbal aggression. It is apparent that large number of parents receiving child protection services are engaged in parental behaviors that do not decrease child's problems, but instead may be harmful to their children. Since over 80 000 of the children receiving support from child protection services in Finland remain in their homes, the need of effective methods to support parenting is evident.

   Several randomized trials have shown that parent management training programs, which are based primarily on social learning theory, cognitive-behavioral theory, and attachment theory, effectively improve parenting skills, parents' mental health and child conduct problems. These programs build on social learning theory according to which parents model the appropriate behavior to their children. Behavioristic principles, however, include methods of prompting children's positive behavior. Ideas based on cognitive theory help parents change their conceptions of the child and his/her problematic behavior and coaches them to use problem solving and anger management skills. The basis of attachment theory is that when a sensitive and safe attachment has developed between the child and the caretaker, it helps a child feel safe and builds his/her positive perception of different situations.

   Incredible Years Parent Training Program(IY) is one of the most researched programs and has been found to be effective in different countries and contexts, for example among high-risk, disadvantaged, and maltreating families and also among foster carers . However, only a few studies have been made in the context of child protection services or with maltreated children.

   The IY program is group-based, focuses on building support networks and decreasing isolation, and has a format designed to reduce stigma, and increase parental participation and engagement. It emphasizes individual goal-setting and a self-reflective learning style, as well as intensive behavior practice and rehearsal methods with other parents and a positive, collaborative relationship between group leaders and parents. For the previous reasons it may be particularly relevant to families with child protection services contact and should be thoroughly researched.
2. Aims

   The main study question is:

   Does the group based, intensive Incredible Years Parent Management Training reduce children's (age 3-7) (sub)clinically significant behavioral problems?

   The other study questions are:

   Does Incredible Years Parent Management Training
   * increase positive parenting?
   * increase positive interaction between parents and children?
   * reduce children's (age 3-7) other psychiatric symptoms?
   * reduce children's and parent's stress?
   * increase parent's well-being?
3. Study Design Randomized controlled trial design will be used (RCT). Participants are 3-7 year old children (index children, n=101) with behavioral problems and their parents who are currently clients of child protection services, other special support services for families or families who are clients of family centers or need support just for their parenting. Parents and children were randomized before the baseline measurements to the intervention group or treatment as usual / waiting list condition. The intervention program is Incredible Years Parent Training (Preschool Basic), with 20 parent group meetings, including 4 home visits. Children themselves do not participate in any intervention. Based on earlier studies the intervention effects of parent management training is mediated by changed parenting practices towards children. The measuring points are pre, post and 1 year. The study will be carried out in 2015-2018.

   Intervention Participants will attend the Incredible Years Parent Training Program, Preschool Basic version, with 18-20 group meetings. The program is based mainly on cognitive-behavioral and social learning theories.

   The goal of the group is to enhance and support parenting skills, increase knowledge of child development, improve child's positive behavior and parent-child interaction. Parents are taught to use more positive and consistent strategies in reducing child misbehavior by watching dvd's, rehearsing and group discussions. Groups consist of 10-12 parents and they get together weekly for app. 2-2,5 hours at a time. Four home visits are added to the program to support parents in practicing new skills and to provide individual practical consultation. Also weekly phone calls are being made to the parents, as part of normal procedure of the program.

   Parents will be interviewed before starting the intervention to explain it fully.

   The intervention groups will start in fall 2016 or beginning of 2017. In each group there will be three trained group leaders, of which two are from family counselling services and one a family worker from child protection services, who also conducts family visits.

   Program fidelity The group leaders will receive supervision from certified peer coach every three weeks and once from a mentor during the duration of the groups. Group leaders will fill out check lists and self-evaluations after every group meeting. Also evaluations from parents after every group meeting will be gathered.
4. Ethics

Parents and children are participating voluntarily in the research. Participants of the intervention group are given concrete information and training about positive parenting methods in a supportive and positive peer group by trained leaders. The participants of the control group can access all the other services and support they are entitled to, other than the intervention program being researched. The restrain and discomfort caused to participants can be considered minor.

Families participating the study have been interviewed and their willingness to participate have been asked beforehand. The group leaders of the intervention will interview the participants of the intervention group and tell about the intervention. The participants of the control group have a possibility access the next available parent group in the community.

Parents participating the research have at any time a right to withdraw from the research. Confidentiality will be taken care of.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Parents of the child are evaluated by child protection services to benefit from parenting support, or who receive special support for parenting
* Child is between the ages 3-7 when entering the program
* The child is living at home
* Child has behavioral problems
* Parents have the motivation to attend the groups
* There is no unresolved acute child protection issue (child's basic needs and safety are not fulfilled).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Parents have a mental health or substance abuse problem that prevents attending the group.