Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Predictors of Program Use and Child and Parent Outcomes of A Brief Online Parenting Intervention

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Child Psychiatry & Human Development Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Web-based parenting interventions have the potential to increase the currently low reach of parenting programs, but few evidence-based online programs are available, and little is known about who benefits from this delivery format. This study investigated if improvements in child behavior and parenting, following participation in a brief online parenting program (Triple P Online Brief), can be predicted by family and program-related factors. Participants were 100 parents of 2–9-year-old children displaying disruptive behavior problems. Regression analyses showed that higher baseline levels of child behavior problems, older parental age and more intense conflict over parenting pre-intervention predicted greater improvement in child behavior at 9-month follow-up. Improvement in parenting was predicted by higher pre-intervention levels of ineffective parenting. Family demographics, parental adjustment and program related factors did not predict treatment outcomes. Younger child age and lower disagreement over parenting pre-intervention predicted completion of the recommended minimum dose of the program.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Eyberg SM, Nelson MM, Boggs SR (2008) Evidence-based psychosocial treatments for children and adolescents with disruptive behavior. J Clin Child Adolesc 37(1):215–237

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Jones DJ, Forehand R, Cuellar J, Kincaid C, Parent J, Fenton N et al (2013) Harnessing innovative technologies to advance children’s mental health: behavioral parent training as an example. Clin Psychol Rev 33(2):241–252

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Breitenstein SM, Gross D, Christophersen R (2014) Digital delivery methods of parenting training interventions: a systematic review. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs 11(3):168–176

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Nieuwboer CC, Fukkink RG, Hermanns JM (2013) Online programs as tools to improve parenting: A meta-analytic review. Child Youth Serv Rev 35(11): 1823–1829

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Sanders MR, Baker S, Turner KMT (2012) A randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of Triple P Online with parents of children with early-onset conduct problems. Behav Res Ther 50(11):675–684

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Enebrink P et al (2012) Internet-based parent management training: a randomized controlled study. Behav Res Ther 50(4):240–249

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Sourander A, McGrath PJ, Ristkari T, Cunningham C, Huttunen J, Lingley-Pottie P, et al. (2016) Internet-assisted parent training intervention for disruptive behavior in 4-year-old Children: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiat 73(4): 378–387

  8. Baker S, Sanders MR, Turner KMT, Morawska A (2017) A randomized controlled trial evaluating a low-intensity interactive online parenting intervention, Triple P Online Brief, with parents of children with early onset conduct problems (submitted manuscript)

  9. O’Brien M, Daley D (2011) Self-help parenting interventions for childhood behaviour disorders: a review of the evidence. Child Care Hlth Dev 37(5): 623–637

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Campbell SB, Shaw DS, Gilliom M (2000) Early externalizing behavior problems: toddlers and preschoolers at risk for later maladjustment. Dev psychopathol 12(3):467–488

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Burke JD, Loeber R, Birmaher B (2002) Oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder: a review of the past 10 years, part II. J Am Acad Child Psy 41(11):1275–1293

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Nowak C, Heinrichs N (2008) A comprehensive meta-analysis of Triple P-Positive Parenting Program using hierarchical linear modeling: effectiveness and moderating variables. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 11(3):114–144

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Beauchaine TP, Webster-Stratton C, Reid MJ (2005) Mediators, moderators, and predictors of 1-year outcomes among children treated for early-onset conduct problems: a latent growth curve analysis. J Consult Clin Psych 73(3):371–388

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Gardner F, Hutchings J, Bywater T, Whitaker C (2010) Who benefits and how does it work? Moderators and mediators of outcome in an effectiveness trial of a parenting intervention. J Clin Child Adolesc 39(4):568–580

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Or CK, Karsh BT (2009) A systematic review of patient acceptance of consumer health information technology. J Am Med Inform Assoc 16(4):550–560

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  16. Lundahl B, Risser HJ, Lovejoy MC (2006) A meta-analysis of parent training: moderators and follow-up effects. Clin Psychol Rev 26(1):86–104

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Reyno SM, McGrath PJ (2006) Predictors of parent training efficacy for child externalizing behavior problems–a meta-analytic review. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 47(1):99–111

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Leijten P, Raaijmakers MA, Orobio de Castro B, Matthys W (2013) Does socioeconomic status matter? A meta-analysis on parent training effectiveness for disruptive children. J Clin Child Adolesc 42(3):384–392

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Chamberlain P, Price J, Leve LD, Laurent H, Landsverk JA, Reid JB (2008) Prevention of behavior problems for children in foster care: outcomes and mediation effects. Prev Sci 9(1):17–27

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  20. Lavigne JV, Lebailly SA, Gouze KR, Cicchetti C, Jessup BW, Arend R et al (2008) Predictor and moderator effects in the treatment of oppositional defiant disorder in pediatric primary care. J Pediatr Psychol 33(5):462–472

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Sanders MR, Kirby JN, Tellegen CL, Day JJ (2014) The Triple P-Positive Parenting Program: a systematic review and meta-analysis of a multi-level system of parenting support. Clin Psychol Rev 34(4):337–357

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Baumel A, Pawar A, Kane JM, Correll CU (2016) Digital parent training for children with disruptive behaviors: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol doi:10.1089/cap.2016.0048

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Kazdin AE, Wassell G (2000) Predictors of barriers to treatment and therapeutic change in outpatient therapy for antisocial children and their families. Ment Health Serv Res 2(1):27–40

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Dix T (1991) The affective organization of parenting—Adaptive and maladaptative processes. Psychol Bull 110(1):3–25

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Kolko DJ (1996) Clinical monitoring of treatment course in child physical abuse: psychometric characteristics and treatment comparisons. Child Abuse Neg 20(1):23–43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Miller NB, Cowan PA, Cowan CP, Hetherington EM, Clingempeel WG (1993) Externalizing in preschoolers and early adolescents—a cross-study replication of a family model. Dev Psychol 29(1):3–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Jouriles EN, Pfiffner LJ, O’Leary SG (1988) Marital conflict, parenting, and toddler conduct problems. J Abnorm Child Psychol 16(2):197–206

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Hall WA, Zubrick SR, Silburn SR, Parsons DE, Kurinczuk JJ (2007) A model for predicting behavioural sleep problems in a random sample of Australian pre-schoolers. Infant. Child Dev 16(5):509–523

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Dittman CK, Farruggia SP, Palmer ML, Sanders MR, Keown LJ (2014) Predicting success in an online parenting intervention: the role of child, parent, and family factors. J Fam Psychol 28(2):236–243

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Cugelman B, Thelwall M, Dawes P (2011) Online interventions for social marketing health behavior change campaigns: a meta-analysis of psychological architectures and adherence factors. J Med Internet Res, 13(1)

  31. Eysenbach G (2005) The law of attrition. J Med Internet Res, 7(1)

  32. Melville KM, Casey LM, Kavanagh DJ (2010) Dropout from internet-based treatment for psychological disorders. Br J Clin Psychol 49(4):455–471

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Carey JC, Wade SL, Wolfe CR (2008) Lessons learned: the effect of prior technology use on web-based interventions. Cyberpsychol Behav 11(2):188–195

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  34. Goodman R (1999) The extended version of the strengths and difficulties questionnaire as a guide to child psychiatric caseness and consequent burden. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 40:791–801

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Eyberg SM, Pincus D (1999) Eyberg child behavior inventory & sutter-eyberg student behavior inventory-revised: professional manual. Psychological Assessment Resources, Odessa

    Google Scholar 

  36. Arnold DS, O’Leary SG, Wolff LS, Acker MM (1993) The parenting scale: a measure of dysfunctional parenting in discipline situations. Psychol Assessment 5(2):137–144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Sedlar G, Hansen DJ (2001) Anger, child behavior, and family distress: further evaluation of the parental anger inventory. J Fam Violence 16(4):361–373

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Dadds MR, Powell MB (1991) The relationship of interparental conflict and global marital adjustment to aggression, anxiety, and immaturity in aggressive and nonclinic children. J Abnorm Child Psychol, 19(5): 553–567

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Lovibond SH, Lovibond PF (1995) Manual for the depression anxiety stress scales. (2nd Ed) Psychology Foundation, Sydney ISBN 7334-1423-0

    Google Scholar 

  40. Turner KMT, Sanders MR (2013) Triple P Online Brief [5 module interactive internet program]. Triple P International Pty. Ltd, Brisbane

    Google Scholar 

  41. Schafer JL, Graham JW (2002) Missing data: our view of the state of the art. Psychol Methods 7(2):147–177

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Dishion TJ, Patterson GR (1992) Age effects in parent training outcome. Behav Ther 23(4):719–729

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Reid MJ, Webster-Stratton C, Baydar N (2004) Halting the development of conduct problems in head start children: the effects of parent training. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol 33(2):279–291

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Cummings EM, Faircloth WB, Mitchell PM, Cummings JS, Schermerhorn AC (2008) Evaluating a brief prevention program for improving marital conflict in community families. J Fam Psychol 22(2):193–202

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Faircloth WB, Schermerhorn AC, Mitchell PM, Cummings JS, Cummings EM (2011) Testing the long-term efficacy of a prevention program for improving marital conflict in community families. J Appl Dev Psychol 32(4):189–197

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Cowan CP, Cowan PA, Barry J (2011) Couples’ groups for parents of preschoolers: ten-year outcomes of a randomized trial. J Fam Psychol 25(2):240–250

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  47. Hahlweg K, Baucom DH, Grawe-Gerber M, Snyder DK (2010) Strengthening couples and families: dissemination of interventions for the treatment and prevention of couple distress. In: Hahlweg K, Grawe-Gerber M, Baucom DH (eds) Enhancing couples: the shape of couple therapy to come. Hogrefe, Cambridge, pp 3–30

    Google Scholar 

  48. Fincham FD (1998) Child development and marital relations. Child Dev 69(2):543–574

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Feinberg ME, Jones DE, Hostetler ML, Roettger ME, Paul IM, Ehrenthal DB (2016) Couple-focused prevention at the transition to parenthood, a randomized trial: effects on coparenting, parenting, family violence, and parent and child adjustment. Prev Sci 17(6):751–764

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Sanders MR, Markie-Dadds C, Tully LA, Bor W (2000) The triple P-positive parenting program: a comparison of enhanced, standard, and self-directed behavioral family intervention for parents of children with early onset conduct problems. J Consult Clin Psychol 68(4):624–640

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Thank you to the families who participated in the trial of Triple P Online Brief, the data-base of which was used for analyses reported in this paper.

Funding

We gratefully acknowledge the funding of this trial by the Australian Research Council (DP120101404).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Parenting and Family Support Centre, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia

    Sabine Baker & Matthew R. Sanders

Authors
  1. Sabine Baker
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Matthew R. Sanders
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sabine Baker.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The Triple P—Positive Parenting Program is owned by The University of Queensland. The University through its main technology transfer company, UniQuest Pty Ltd, has licensed Triple P International (TPI) Pty Ltd to publish and disseminate the program worldwide. Royalties stemming from published Triple P resources are distributed to the Parenting and Family Support Centre; School of Psychology; Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences; and contributory authors. Matthew Sanders is an author on various Triple P resources. TPI is a private company and no author has any share or ownership in it. TPI engages the services of Professor Matthew Sanders as a consultant to ensure program integrity is maintained. Sabine Baker is a PhD candidate and researcher at the Parenting and Family Support Centre.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Baker, S., Sanders, M.R. Predictors of Program Use and Child and Parent Outcomes of A Brief Online Parenting Intervention. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 48, 807–817 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-016-0706-8

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-016-0706-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation