Therapist-assisted, self-administered bibliotherapy to enhance parental competence: short- and long-term effects.
The efficacy of bibliotherapy has primarily been investigated in anxiety disorders, depression, or substance dependence. The efficacy of self-help books to increase parenting competence was only investigated in a few studies despite their broad dissemination in public. The aims of the study were to investigate the short- and long-term efficacy of a therapist assisted version of the Triple P self-help booklet (Sanders, Markie-Dadds, & Turner, 2003) for families with preschool-age children in Germany. Sixty-nine families were randomly assigned to either a therapist-assisted self-administered parent training (SDPT+T) or to a waitlist control group (WL). Parents in the SDPT+T received the 10 chapter self-help book and an accompanying video. A Triple P facilitator offered seven telephone consultations which aimed to support parents in skill implementation. After the post test, the WL parents were also offered the intervention. A follow-up assessment was conducted six months after post. Compared to waitlist controls, SDPT+T mothers reported significant short- and long-term reductions in child behavior problems as well as in dysfunctional parenting practices. Fathers reported only marginal changes. The study adds further empirical support of parenting self-help materials.
Hahlweg
Kurt
K
Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany. k.hahlweg@tu-bs.de
Heinrichs
Nina
N
Kuschel
Annett
A
Feldmann
Marit
M
D000328:Adult; D001638:Bibliotherapy; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods; D003863:Depression; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013689:Telephone