Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Effectiveness of a Home-Based Delivery of Triple P in High-Risk Families in Rural Areas

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Child and Family Studies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

Triple P is a positive parenting intervention designed to improve parenting practices and enhance childhood outcomes. Triple P has shown positive effects in various prior studies; however, to date, no studies have examined the potential benefits of home-based Triple P when conducted with rural families with parents at high risk for child abuse. The aim of this study was to use archival data to examine the effects of Triple P on dysfunctional discipline and parental anger as well as child emotional/behavioral difficulties. In addition, the study sought to investigate the potential moderating effect of race/ethnicity in these outcomes.

Methods

Archival data were analyzed in this study. Data were originally collected using a pre- and post-treatment design. A racially and ethnically diverse sample of 171 caregivers was assessed using various self-report instruments before and immediately after receiving the manualized intervention.

Results

A repeated-measures design, with ethnicity examined as a moderating variable, was used to assess the differences in dysfunctional discipline, parental anger, and child emotional/behavioral difficulties prior to and immediately following Triple P services. Overall, participants evidenced significant decreases in scores following treatment. Additionally, some effects were moderated by race/ethnicity.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the potential benefits of a home-based format of Triple P for decreasing dysfunctional parenting behaviors and problematic child behaviors in high-risk, rural families.

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

  • Arnold, D. S., O’Leary, S. G., Wolff, L. S., & Acker, M. M. (1993). The parenting scale: a measure of dysfunctional parenting in discipline situations. Psychological Assessment, 5, 137–144.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Astuto, J., & Allen, L. (2009). Home visitation and young children: An approach worth investing in? and commentaries. Social Policy Report, 23(4), 1–24.

  • Barthassat, J. (2014). Positive and negative effects of parental conflicts on children’s condition and behaviour. Journal of European Psychology Students, 5, 10–18. https://doi.org/10.5334/jeps.bm.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beeber, L. S., Schwartz, T. A., Holditch-Davis, D., Canuso, R., Lewis, V., & Matsuda, Y. (2014). Interpersonal psychotherapy with a parenting enhancement adapted for in-home delivery in early head start. Zero to Three, 34, 35–44.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Boydell, K. M., Pong, R., Volpe, T., Tilleczek, K., Wilson, E., & Lemieux, S. (2006). Family perspectives on pathways to mental health care for children and youth in rural communities. The Journal of Rural Health, 22, 182–188.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Calzada, E. J. (2010). Bringing culture into parent training with Latinos. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 17, 167–175.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Connell, S., Sanders, M. R., & Markie-Dadds, C. (1997). Self-Directed Behavioral Family Intervention for Parents of Oppositional Children in Rural and Remote Areas. Behavior Modification, 21(4), 379–408.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, E. B., Abate, A., Airrington, M. D., Taylor, L., & Venta, A. C. (2018). When and how do race/ethnicity relate to dysfunctional discipline practices? Journal of Child and Family Studies, 27, 966–978.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daro, D., Hart, B., Boller, K., & Bradley., M. C. (2012). Replicating home visiting programs with fidelity: Baseline data and preliminary findings (Report No. 2112). Princeton, NJ: Mathematica Policy Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Emery, R. E., Fincham, F. D., & Cummings, E. M. (1992). Parenting in context: systemic thinking about parental conflict and its influence on children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 60, 909–915.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Fetcheri, R., Freeman, E., & Matthey, S. (2011). The impact of behavioural parent training on fathers’ parenting: A meta-analysis of the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program. Fathering: A Journal of Theory, Research, and Practice about Men as Fathers, 9, 291–312.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finno-Velasquez, M., L. Fettes, D., A. Aarons, G., & S. Hurlburt, M. (2014). Cultural adaptation of an evidence-based home visitation programme: Latino clients’ experiences of service delivery during implementation. Journal of Children’s Services, 9, 280–294.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Funderburk, B. W., Eyberg, S. M., Rich, B. A., & Behar, L. (2003). Further psychometric evaluation of the Eyberg and Behar rating scales for parents and teachers of preschoolers. Early Education and Development, 14, 67–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gershoff, E. T., Lansford, J. E., Sexton, H. R., Davis-Kean, P., & Sameroff, A. J. (2012). Longitudinal links between spanking and children’s externalizing behaviors in a national sample of White, Black, Hispanic, and Asian American families. Child Development, 83, 838–843.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Goodman, R. (1999). The extended version of the strengths and difficulties questionnaire as a guide to child psychiatric caseness and consequent burden. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 40, 791–801.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goodman, R., Ford, T., Simmons, H., Gatward, R., & Meltzer, H. (2000). Using the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) to screen for child psychiatric disorders in a community sample. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 177, 534–539.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Graaf, I., de, Speetjens, P., Smit, F., Wolff, Mde, & Tavecchio, L. (2008). Effectiveness of the triple p positive parenting program on behavioral problems in children: a meta-analysis. Behavior Modification, 32, 714–735.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gresl, B. L. G., Fox, R. A., & Fleischmann, A. (2014). Home-based parent-child therapy in low-income African American, Caucasian, and Latino families: a comparative examination of treatment outcomes. Child & Family Behavior Therapy, 36, 33–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hodgkinson, S., Godoy, L., Beers, L. S., & Lewin, A. (2017). Improving mental health access for low-income children and families in the primary care setting. Pediatrics, 139(1), p. e20151175.

  • Hoeve, M., Dubas, J. S., Eichelsheim, V. I., van der Laan, P. H., Smeenk, W., & Gerris, J. R. M. (2009). The relationship between parenting and delinquency: a meta-analysis. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 37, 749–775. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-009-9310-8.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Irvine, A. B., Biglan, A., Smolkowski, K., & Ary, D. V. (1999). The value of the parenting scale for measuring the discipline practices of parents of middle school children. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 37, 127–142.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Knerr, W., Gardner, F., & Cluver, L. (2013). Improving positive parenting skills and reducing harsh and abusive parenting in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review. Prevention Science, 14, 352–363.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Knox, M., Burkhart, K., & Khuder, S. A. (2011). Parental hostility and depression as predictors of young children’s aggression and conduct problems. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 20, 800–811.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lindquist, T. G. W., & Korey, L. (2014). Modern approaches to modern challenges: a review of widely used parenting programs. Journal of Individual Psychology, 70(2), 148–165.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lorber, M. F., Xu, S., Slep, A. M., Bulling, L., & O’Leary, S. G. (2014). A new look at the psychometrics of the parenting scale through the lens of item response theory. Journal of clinical child and adolescent psychology, 43, 613–626.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Mann, V. (2014). Spanish-language home visitation to disadvantaged Latino preschoolers: a means of promoting language development and English school readiness. Creative Education, 5, 411.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mieloo, C., Raat, H., Oort, F., van, Bevaart, F., Vogel, I., Donker, M., & Jansen, W. (2012). Validity and reliability of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in 5–6 year olds: differences by gender or by parental education? PLOS ONE, 7, e36805.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Morawska, A., & Sanders, M. R. (2006). Self-administered behavioral family intervention for parents of toddlers: Part I. Efficacy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74, 10–19.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Neece, C. L., Green, S. A., & Baker, B. L. (2012). Parenting stress and child behavior problems: a transactional relationship across time. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 117, 48–66.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Nowak, C., & Heinrichs, N. (2008). A comprehensive meta-analysis of Triple P-Positive Parenting Program using hierarchical linear modeling: Effectiveness and moderating variables. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 11, 114–144.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Palmieri, P. A., & Smith, G. C. (2007). Examining the structural validity of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) in a U.S. sample of custodial grandmothers. Psychological Assessment, 19, 189–198.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, J. L., & Zill, N. (1986). Marital disruption, parent-child relationships, and behavior problems in children. Journal of Marriage and Family, 48, 295–307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pickering, J. A., & Sanders, M. R. (2016). Reducing child maltreatment by making parenting programs available to all parents: A case example using the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 17, 398–407.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pinderhughes, E. E., Dodge, K. A., Bates, J. E., Pettit, G. S., & Zelli, A. (2000). Discipline responses: Influences of parents’ socioeconomic status, ethnicity, beliefs about parenting, stress, and cognitive-emotional processes. Journal of Family Psychology, 14, 380–400.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Qu, Y., Fuligni, A. J., Galvan, A., & Telzer, E. H. (2015). Buffering effect of positive parent–child relationships on adolescent risk taking: a longitudinal neuroimaging investigation. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, 15, 26–34.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Rhoades, K. A., & O’Leary, S. G. (2007). Factor structure and validity of the parenting scale. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 36(2), 137–146.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rodriguez, C. M., & Eden, A. M. (2008). Disciplinary style and child abuse potential: association with indicators of positive functioning in children with behavior problems. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 39, 123.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Salari, R., Terreros, C., & Sarkadi, A. (2012). Parenting scale: which version should we use? Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 34, 268–281.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R. (1999). Triple P-Positive Parenting Program: towards an empirically validated multilevel parenting and family support strategy for the prevention of behavior and emotional problems in children. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 2, 71–90.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R. (2012). Development, evaluation, and multinational dissemination of the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 8, 345–379.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R., Kirby, J. N., Tellegen, C. L., & Day, J. J. (2014). The Triple P-Positive Parenting Program: a systematic review and meta-analysis of a multi-level system of parenting support. Clinical Psychology Review, 34, 337–357.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sedlak, A.J., Mettenburg, J., Basena, M., Petta, I., McPherson, K., Greene, A., & Li, S. (2010). Fourth national incidence study of child abuse and neglect (NIS–4): Report to Congress. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. Available at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/research/project/national-incidence-study-of-child-abuse-and-neglect-nis-4-2004-2009.

  • Sedlar, G., & Hansen, D. J. (2001). Anger, child behavior, and family Distress: further evaluation of the Parental Anger Inventory. Journal of Family Violence, 16, 361–373. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1012220809344.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharp, G., & Lee, B. A. (2016). New faces in rural places: patterns and sources of nonmetropolitan ethnoracial diversity since 1990. Rural Sociology, 82, 411–443.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Smalley, K. B., Yancey, C. T., Warren, J. C., Naufel, K., Ryan, R., & Pugh, J. L. (2010). Rural mental health and psychological treatment: a review for practitioners. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 66, 479–489.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sweet, M. A., & Appelbaum, M. I. (2004). Is home visiting an effective strategy? A meta-analytic review of home visiting programs for families with young children. Child Development, 75, 1435–1456.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, R., & Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J. (2007). Behavioral outcomes of parent-child interaction therapy and Triple P—Positive Parenting Program: a review and meta-analysis. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 35, 475–495.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tichovolsky, M. H., Arnold, D. H., & Baker, C. N. (2013). Parent predictors of changes in child behavior problems. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 34, 336–345.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turner, K., Richards, M., & Sanders, M. R. (2007). Randomised clinical trial of a group parent education programme for Australian Indigenous families. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 43, 429–437.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2015). Health resources and services administration, maternal and Child Health Bureau, The Health and Well-Being of Children in Rural Areas: A Portrait of the Nation, 2011–2012. Rockville, Maryland: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This study was made possible through funding from the Administration for Children and Families (90CA1773).

Author Contributions

A.A.: conducted the literature review and wrote the introduction and discussion. R.M.: conducted the analyses. L.T.: reviewed manuscript and added to the discussion. L.V.: reviewed the manuscript and added to the results and discussion. A.V.: conceptualized study, added to the introduction and discussion, led editing of the final manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, USA

    Anna Abate & Amanda Venta

  2. Clear Lake Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA

    Ryan J. Marek

  3. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UT Health, Houston, TX, USA

    Leslie Taylor

  4. WK Kellog Foundation Program and Evaluation, Battle Creek, MI, USA

    Luis Velez

Authors
  1. Anna Abate
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ryan J. Marek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Amanda Venta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Leslie Taylor
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Luis Velez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Amanda Venta.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

All procedures performed were conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the Depelchin Children’s Center Institutional Review Board and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Additional information

Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Abate, A., Marek, R.J., Venta, A. et al. The Effectiveness of a Home-Based Delivery of Triple P in High-Risk Families in Rural Areas. J Child Fam Stud 29, 997–1007 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-019-01684-2

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-019-01684-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation