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Parenting intervention for externalizing behavior problems in children born premature: an initial examination
Daniel M Bagner1, Stephen J Sheinkopf, Betty R Vohr
1Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA. dbagner@fiu.edu
Insights
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) effectively reduced behavior problems in premature children. Improvements in child behavior and parenting practices were observed and maintained post-treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Psychology
- Child Psychiatry
Background:
- Premature birth is associated with an increased risk of behavioral problems in early childhood.
- Early intervention is crucial for mitigating long-term developmental and behavioral challenges in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the preliminary effectiveness of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) for managing behavioral issues in young children born prematurely.
- To assess the impact of PCIT on child behavior, parental stress, and parenting practices.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 28 children (18-60 months) born before 37 weeks gestation with externalizing behavior problems.
- Participants were assigned to either immediate PCIT or a waitlist control group.
Main Results:
- Children receiving PCIT showed significant reductions in attention problems, aggression, and externalizing/internalizing behaviors compared to the waitlist group.
- Mothers in the PCIT group reported lower parenting stress, engaged in more positive interactions, and demonstrated improved parenting practices.
- Behavioral improvements were maintained in 80% of children 4 months after PCIT completion.
Conclusions:
- PCIT demonstrates preliminary efficacy as a treatment for behavior problems in young children born prematurely.
- The findings support the use of PCIT for improving behavioral outcomes and family functioning in this vulnerable population.
Objective:
To examine the initial efficacy of parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) for treating behavior problems in young children who were born premature.
Method:
In this randomized, controlled trial, 28 children between the ages of 18 and 60 months, who were born <37 weeks gestation and presented with clinically significant externalizing behavior problems, were randomly assigned to an immediate treatment (IT) or waitlist (WL) control group.
Results:
After 4 months, children who received PCIT were reported by their mother to have less attention problems, aggressive behaviors, and externalizing and internalizing behavior problems, and they were observed to be more compliant to maternal commands than children in the WL group. In addition, mothers in the IT group interacted more positively with their child, reported lower parenting stress related to difficult child behavior and demonstrated improved parenting practices compared with WL mothers. Behavior change maintained for 80% of the IT children 4 months after treatment completion.
Conclusions:
This study demonstrates preliminary efficacy of PCIT for the treatment of behavior problems in young children who were born premature.
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