Reducing Risks for Problem Behaviors During the High School Transition: Proximal Outcomes in the Common Sense Parenting Trial.
This study tests Common Sense Parenting (CSP)®, a widely used parent-training program, in its standard form and in a modified form known as CSPPlus, with low-income 8thgraders and their families during the high school transition. The six-session CSP program proximally targets parenting and child emotion regulation skills. CSPPlusadds two sessions that include youth, and the eight-session program further targets skills for avoiding negative peers and activities in high school. Over two cohorts, 321 families were enrolled and randomly assigned to either CSP, CSPPlus, or minimal-contact control conditions. To date, pretest and posttest assessments have been completed, with 93% retention over about a 6-month interval. Here, analyses of preliminary outcomes from pretest to posttest focus on data collected from parents, who represent the primary proximal intervention targets. Intent-to-treat structural equation modeling analyses were conducted. CSP and CSPPlushad statistically significant effects on increased parent-reported child emotion regulation skills. CSPPlusfurther showed a statistically significant effect on increased parent perceptions of their adolescent being prepared for high school, but only in a model that excluded the CSP condition. Neither program had a significant proximal effect on parenting practices. Emotion regulation, one indicator of self-control, is a robust protective factor against problem behaviors. Intervention effects on this outcome may translate into reduced problems during high school. Moreover, CSPPlusshowed some limited signs of added value for preparing families for the high school transition.
National Research Institute for Child and Family Studies, Boys Town, NE 68010.
W Alex
WA
Mason
Social Development Research Group, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98115.
Charles B
CB
Fleming
National Research Institute for Child and Family Studies, Boys Town, NE 68010.
Jay L
JL
Ringle
National Research Institute for Child and Family Studies, Boys Town, NE 68010.
Ronald W
RW
Thompson
Social Development Research Group, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98115.
Kevin P
KP
Haggerty
Department of Psychology, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS 67260.
James J
JJ
Snyder
emotion regulation; family intervention; high school; parent-training; parenting; prevention; transition