Abstract
A noninferiority randomized trial design compared the efficacy of two self-help variants of the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program: an online version and a self-help workbook. We randomly assigned families of 193 children displaying early onset disruptive behavior difficulties to the online (N = 97) or workbook (N = 96) interventions. Parents completed questionnaire measures of child behavior, parenting, child maltreatment risk, personal adjustment and relationship quality at pre- and post-intervention and again at 6-month follow up. The short-term intervention effects of the Triple P Online program were not inferior to the workbook on the primary outcomes of disruptive child behavior and dysfunctional parenting as reported by both mothers and fathers. Both interventions were associated with significant and clinically meaningful declines from pre- to post-intervention in levels of disruptive child behavior, dysfunctional parenting styles, risk of child maltreatment, and inter-parental conflict on both mother and father report measures. Intervention effects were largely maintained at 6-month follow up, thus supporting the use of self-help parenting programs within a comprehensive population-based system of parenting support to reduce child maltreatment and behavioral problems in children.
Similar content being viewed by others
Notes
The median annual family income in New Zealand in 2010 was $NZ64,272 (Statistics New Zealand, 2010).
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. doi:10.1037/1040-3590.5.2.137.
Dadds, M. R., & Powell, M. B. (1991). The relationship of interparental conflict and global marital adjustment to aggression, anxiety and immaturity in aggressive nonclinic children. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 19, 553–567. doi:10.1007/BF00925820.
Enebrink, P., Hogstrom, J., Forster, M., & Ghaderi, A. (2012). Internet-based parent management training: A randomized controlled study. Behavior Research and Therapy, 50, 240–249. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2012.01.006.
Eyberg, S. M., & Pincus, D. (1999). Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory and Sutter–Eyberg Student Behavior Inventory-revised: Professional manual. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.
Greene, C. J., Morland, L. A., Durkalski, V. L., & Frueh, C. (2008). Noninferiority and equivalence designs: Issues and implications for mental health research. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 21(5), 433–439. doi:10.1002/jts.20367.
Lovibond, S. H., & Lovibond, P. F. (1995). Manual for the depression anxiety stress scales (2nd ed.). Sydney, NSW: Psychology Foundation of Australia.
Markie-Dadds, C., & Sanders, M. R. (2006). Self-directed Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) for mothers with children at-risk of developing conduct problems. Behavioral and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 34(3), 259–275. doi:10.1017/S1352465806002797.
Markie-Dadds, C., Sanders, M. R., & Turner, K. M. T. (1999). Every parent’s self-help workbook. Milton: Families International.
Metzler, C. W., Biglan, A., Ary, D., & Li, F. (1998). The stability and validity of early adolescents’ reports of parenting constructs. Journal of Family Psychology, 12, 1–21. doi:10.1037/0893-3200.12.4.600.
Norton, R. (1983). Measuring marital quality: A critical look at the dependent variable. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 45, 141–151. doi:10.2307/351302.
O’Brien, M., & Daley, D. (2011). Self-help parenting interventions for childhood behavior disorders: A review of the evidence. Child: Care, Health and Development, 37(5), 623–637. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2214.2011.01231.x.
Ondersma, S. J., Chaffin, M., Simpson, S., & LeBreton, J. (2005). A brief form of the brief child abuse inventory: Development and validation. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 34(2), 301–311. doi:10.1207/s15374424jccp3402_9.
Piaggio, G., Elbourne, D. R., Altman, D. G., Pocock, S. J., & Evans, S. J. W. (2006). Reporting of noninferiority and equivalence randomized controlled trials: An extension of the CONSORT statement. Journal of the American Medical Association, 295(10), 1152–1160. doi:10.1001/jama.295.10.1152.
Rausch, J. R., Maxwell, S. E., & Kelley, K. (2003). Analytic methods for questions pertaining to a randomized pretest, posttest, follow-up design. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 32(3), 467–486. doi:10.1207/S15374424JCCP3203_15.
Sanders, M. R., Baker, S., & Turner, K. M. T. (2012). A randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of Triple P Online with parents of children with early-onset conduct problems. Behavior Research and Therapy, 50(11), 675–684. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2012.07.004.
Sanders, M. R., Markie-Dadds, C., Tully, L. A., & 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. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 68, 624–640.
Sanders, M. R., & Woolley, M. L. (2005). The relationship between maternal self-efficacy and parenting practices: Implications for parent training. Child: Care, Health and Development, 31(1), 65–73. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2214.2005.00487.x.
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. doi:10.1023/A:1012220809344.
Statistics New Zealand. (2010). New Zealand income survey: June 2010 quarter. Wellington: Statistics New Zealand.
Temple, R., & Ellenberg, S. S. (2000). Placebo-controlled trials and active-controlled trials in the evaluation of new treatments. Medicine and Public Issues, 133(6), 455–463.
Turner, K. M. T., & Sanders, M. R. (2011). Triple P Online [interactive internet program]. Brisbane, QLD: Triple P International.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sanders, M.R., Dittman, C.K., Farruggia, S.P. et al. A Comparison of Online Versus Workbook Delivery of a Self-Help Positive Parenting Program. J Primary Prevent 35, 125–133 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-014-0339-2
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-014-0339-2