Group-based parent training programmes for improving emotional and behavioural adjustment in young children

Area of Science:

• Child Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Evidence-Based Interventions

Background:

• Emotional and behavioral problems are common in young children.
• Parenting significantly influences children's adjustment, especially in early years.
• Parenting programs may improve infant and toddler emotional and behavioral outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the effectiveness of group-based parenting programs for children up to 3 years and 11 months.
• To assess the efficacy of parenting programs in the primary prevention of child emotional and behavioral issues.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs.
• Searched multiple databases including Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and Embase.
• Assessed emotional and behavioral adjustment using standardized instruments; used GRADE approach for evidence quality.

Main Results:

• 24 studies (3161 participants) evaluated group-based parenting programs.
• Moderate quality evidence suggests reduced externalizing problems (SMD -0.23) and improved parent-child interaction (negative behavior SMD -0.22, positive behavior SMD 0.48).
• Low quality evidence showed reduced overall emotional/behavioral problems (SMD -0.81) at post-intervention, but this was not maintained in sensitivity analysis.

Conclusions:

• Group-based parenting programs offer tentative short-term support for improving young children's emotional and behavioral adjustment.
• Further research is required to understand the long-term effectiveness and primary prevention role of these programs.
• Findings apply to both universal and targeted groups of children and parents.