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Parent–Child Interaction Therapy for Child Disruptive Behaviour Disorders: A Meta-analysis

Child & Youth Care Forum volume 45, pages 675–690 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Numerous studies have looked at the efficacy of Parent–Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) for young children with externalizing behaviour problems.

Objective

The present study compiled these results through a comprehensive review to provide greater clarity regarding the efficacy of this treatment.

Methods

Using a random effects model, a meta-analysis was conducted to determine the weighted mean effect size. To be included in this analysis, studies were required to have implemented PCIT with children (ages 2–5) with clinically significant externalizing behaviour problems. Twelve studies comprising 254 treated and 118 control group children were included, with the majority of children being White males. This research also assessed whether gender and type of disruptive behaviour disorder (DBD) moderated the effectiveness of PCIT.

Results

PCIT had a large effect on improving externalizing behaviour problems in children with DBD based on the effect size derived from pre- and post-treatment behavioural outcomes (d = 1.65, 95 % CI [1.41, 1.90], p < .001) and treatment and control group data (d = 1.39, 95 % CI [1.05, 1.73], p < .001). Neither gender nor diagnosis was found to significantly moderate the effectiveness.

Conclusions

PCIT was found to be an efficacious intervention for child DBD, although the small number of eligible studies and lack of diversity in the sample populations suggests a need for further research. This study has important implications for both practitioners and researchers and provides an efficient summary of the research to date.

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Fig. 1

Notes

  1. Work on this meta-analysis began before the release of the DSM-5.

  2. Thomas and Zimmer-Gembeck (2007) meta-analysis included studies dated up to 2004.

  3. The purpose for excluding these studies was to prevent what Lipsey and Wilson (2001) describe as an “apples and oranges” problem.

  4. From this point forward these four manuscripts will be collectively referred to as one study.

  5. The four aggregated dissertations represented one of the two unpublished studies.

  6. The four aggregated dissertations were accounted for in this calculation by using the dissertation with the largest reported sample size (after attrition).

  7. Nixon et al. (2003) had no apparent connection with the developer of PCIT.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, P436 Duff Roblin Building, 190 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada

    Michelle A. Ward, Jennifer Theule & Kristene Cheung

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  1. Michelle A. Ward
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  2. Jennifer Theule
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Correspondence to Jennifer Theule.

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Ward, M.A., Theule, J. & Cheung, K. Parent–Child Interaction Therapy for Child Disruptive Behaviour Disorders: A Meta-analysis. Child Youth Care Forum 45, 675–690 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-016-9350-5

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Keywords

  • Meta-analysis
  • Children
  • Disruptive behaviour disorders
  • Family therapy