title: The family check-up with high-risk indigent families: preventing problem behavior by increasing parents' positive behavior support in early childhood.
abstract: Seven hundred thirty-one income-eligible families in 3 geographical regions who were enrolled in a national food supplement program were screened and randomized to a brief family intervention. At child ages 2 and 3, the intervention group caregivers were offered the Family Check-Up and linked parenting support services. Latent growth models on caregiver reports at child ages 2, 3, and 4 revealed decreased behavior problems when compared with the control group. Intervention effects occurred predominantly among families reporting high levels of problem behavior at child age 2. Families in the intervention condition improved on direct observation measures of caregivers' positive behavior support at child ages 2 and 3; improvements in positive behavior support mediated improvements in children's early problem behavior.
authors.affiliation: Child and Family Center, Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97401, USA. dishion@uoregon.edu
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Dishion
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: Arin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Connell
authors.forename: Frances
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.forename: Chelsea
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Weaver
authors.forename: Melvin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors