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A Pilot Study Examining Trainee Treatment Session Fidelity when Parent–Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) Is Implemented in Community Settings

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Abstract

Research supports the impact of empirically based treatments, such as Parent–Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), on producing positive treatment outcomes for clients. However, achieving outcomes in community settings that are similar to those found in research settings can be challenging, and little research has been conducted on how to best train community providers to implement PCIT with fidelity. This study assessed trainee implementation fidelity to the PCIT protocol in community settings. Session fidelity was reviewed for trainees using pre-established session integrity checklists and post hoc video review of key sessions. Analyses revealed that trainees maintained strong overall session fidelity, although fidelity percentages varied by session type and treatment phase. Results also highlight those session content items that are frequently left out by trainees during implementation. Implications of these findings, limitations, and future directions for research and PCIT workshops and consultation are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by funds from the Auburn University Psychology Department. The authors wish to thank Shalonda Brooks, Carisa Wilsie, Timothy Thornberry, and Kaitlin Baker for the integral role they played in helping to train these participants in Parent–Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and for the time they spent reviewing trainee session videos and completing fidelity checklists. The authors also wish to acknowledge the work of Kathryn Smeraglia, who dedicated countless hours to reviewing session videos to assess their length and content. Any opinions expressed are only the authors’ and do not necessarily represent the views of any affiliated institution.

Conflict of interest statement

This article is not under consideration elsewhere, and the authors have no significant conflicts of interest to report.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Auburn University, 226 Thach Hall, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA

    Jamie K. Travis MS & Elizabeth Brestan-Knight PhD

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  1. Jamie K. Travis MS
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  2. Elizabeth Brestan-Knight PhD
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Correspondence to Jamie K. Travis MS.

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Travis, J.K., Brestan-Knight, E. A Pilot Study Examining Trainee Treatment Session Fidelity when Parent–Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) Is Implemented in Community Settings. J Behav Health Serv Res 40, 342–354 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-013-9326-2

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