Internet-delivered Parent–Child Interaction Therapy increases positive parenting behaviors that maintain over time

Abstract

Young children's display of emotional and behavioral difficulties is relatively commonplace. However, if left unaddressed, these challenging behaviors have potential to develop into more serious problems. Furthermore, parents often report feeling unprepared to prevent and address their young children's emotional and behavioral difficulties. Fortunately, behavioral parent training strategies, such as Parent–Child Interaction Therapy, have been found to be effective for helping parents learn to effectively improve young children's behavior. Although effective, there are barriers to accessing behavioral parent training, such as cost, lack of transportation, and living in rural areas with limited mental and behavioral health care. Therefore, the purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the effects of internet-delivered PCIT (iPCIT) on parents' use of praise, reflections, imitations, descriptions, and enjoyment/enthusiasm (PRIDE skills) with children referred for disruptive behavior. Participants in this study included three parents and their 2-year-old children. We used a concurrent multiple probe across participants' design to test the effects of iPCIT on parents' use of PRIDE skills and maintenance of treatment effects. Results indicated that all three parents increased their use of PRIDE skills and maintained them following termination of treatment. Results, implications, and future directions are discussed.