Predictors of treatment outcome in parent training for conduct disordered children

Abstract

Thirty-four families with conduct disordered children attended a 9-week behaviorally oriented parent-training program. Prior to treatment, mothers were assessed in terms of socioeconomic variables, depression, attitudes towards their children, and behavioral observations in the home. Treatment outcome was assessed at 1 month and 1 year posttreatment using a clinical replication analysis, and included home visit observations and parent perception measures. The amount of negative life stress experienced by families was also assessed for the period prior to and the year following treatment. At the 1-year follow-up, the model consisting of both socioeconomic disadvantage and negative life stress correctly classified from 70 to 80% of families depending on the outcome criteria. Within the variable of socioeconomic disadvantage, coming from a single parent family seemed most strongly associated with nonresponse. Results are discussed in relation to the important predictors of treatment failure and the implications for parent training programs and future research.