title: Parent-child interaction therapy: a comparison of standard and abbreviated treatments for oppositional defiant preschoolers.
abstract: Families of 54 behaviorally disturbed preschool-aged children (3 to 5 years) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment conditions: standard parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT; STD); modified PCIT that used didactic videotapes, telephone consultations, and face-to-face sessions to abbreviate treatment; and a no-treatment waitlist control group (WL). Twenty-one nondisturbed preschoolers were recruited as a social validation comparison condition. Posttreatment assessment indicated significant differences in parent-reported externalizing behavior in children, and parental stress and discipline practices from both treatment groups on most measures compared with the WL group. Clinical significance testing suggested a superior effect for the STD immediately after intervention, but by 6-month follow-up, the two groups were comparable. The findings indicate that abbreviated PCIT may be of benefit for families with young conduct problem children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Sydney, Australia. reg.nixon@flinders.edu.au
authors.forename: Reginald D V
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Nixon
authors.forename: Lynne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sweeney
authors.forename: Deborah B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Erickson
authors.forename: Stephen W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Touyz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014743:Videotape Recording