Common Sense Parenting
Problems addressed
Externalizing behaviors/problems
Low parental skills
Internalizing behaviors/problems
Effectiveness

Promising

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Promising

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Life periods served
Children (4 to 13 years)
Early childhood (0 to 3 years)
Teenagers (14 to 17 years)
Adults (18 to 59 years)
Where the program was applied
Ambulatory - Social services centers
Country of application
United States
Description

This is a psychoeducational training program in parenting skills for groups of parents of children from 6 to 16 years of age who present significant emotional and behavioral problems. The program’s objective is to teach positive parenting techniques and behavior management strategies for children.
It is implemented in six weekly two-hour sessions involving a group of 10 to 12 parents, led by certified instructors. Participants work based on a parenting manual that provides information on positive parenting skills, quick reference cards related to the program’s content, and a personal planning worksheet.

Impact evaluations

An impact evaluation showed significant effects on the reduction of externalizing behaviors, parental efficacy, and improved parental satisfaction with family relationships, but no effect on children’s internalizing problems. The study used a quasi-experimental design [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Thompson, R. W., Ruma, P. R., Schuchmann, L. F., & Burke, R. V. (1996). A cost-effectiveness evaluation of parent training. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 5(4), 415-429.

Information source