Semester
Summer
Date of Graduation
2006
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Type
PhD
College
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Psychology
Committee Chair
Cheryl B. McNeil.
Abstract
In recent years, there has been much discussion of the efficacy and effectiveness of mental health interventions for children as well as the transportation of empirically-supported treatments (ESTs) to field settings. While there have been efforts to improve dissemination of ESTs, little research has examined the efficacy of treatments in settings other than the traditional clinic. A logical initial step in this line of research is to examine whether the efficacy of ESTs can be demonstrated in community settings such as in the home environment. There are many hypothesized benefits to providing services in the home setting. Based on the promise of this approach, there are a multitude of home-based programs focused on an array of child outcomes (e.g., child development, child health, child abuse prevention) with various levels of success. Despite the potential of this treatment modality, few ESTs have been evaluated in the home setting. One EST that has examined efficacy in the home setting is Behavioral Parent Training (BPT). Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is one such BPT program designed to help families of children with disruptive behavior problems. The purpose of the study was to examine the efficacy of an in-home PCIT program using a single-subject, A/B design across subjects with staggered baselines. Five caregiver-child dyads were recruited for the study, and three completed treatment. Decreases in caregiver use of negative behavior and caregiver-reported child behavior problems were observed for completers. In addition, completers demonstrated increases in child compliance, caregiver use of positive behavior, and contingent praise. Data regarding caregivers' reported parenting stress and caregiver proportion of direct commands was less convincing. All three dyads completing treatment reported satisfaction with the intervention. Clinical implications and future research directions are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Ware, Lisa M., "Efficacy of in-home Parent -Child Interaction Therapy" (2006). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 2425.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/2425