title: The 1-2-3 Magic parenting program and its effect on child problem behaviors and dysfunctional parenting: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: This study investigated the effectiveness of the 1-2-3 Magic parenting program, a brief cognitive-behavioral program, when delivered to large groups of caregivers. The effectiveness of two versions of the programs in reducing child problem behaviors and dysfunctional parenting, and the effect on emotion-related parenting style, were examined. Ninety-two participants with 2-12-year-old children were randomly assigned to one of three groups: DVD (n = 31); Emotion-coaching (EC) (n = 31); or Waitlist-control (n = 30). Both intervention groups reported significantly decreased child problem behaviors, dysfunctional parenting, parental depression and parental stress at post-intervention as compared to the control group. Additionally, the DVD group reported decreased parental anxiety, and the EC group reported a decrease in emotion-dismissing parenting style. Emotion-coaching parenting style remained unchanged for all groups at post-intervention. The results were maintained after three months. After two years, all intervention effects were maintained for the DVD group. For the EC group, effects were maintained on the main outcome variables. The results suggest that both 1-2-3 Magic programs are effective at reducing child problem behavior and dysfunctional parenting when delivered to large groups of caregivers, and that both programs are suitable for a broad delivery approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, C3A, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia. Electronic address: renata@ozemail.com.au.
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Porzig-Drummond
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, C3A, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia. Electronic address: dick.stevenson@mq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.affiliation: Suite 210, 2 Pembroke St, Epping, NSW 2121, Australia. Electronic address: drc.stevenson@yahoo.com.au.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stevenson
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Child problem behavior; Dysfunctional parenting; Parent stress; Parental adjustment; Parenting