Related Experiment Videos
The Role of Emotion Regulation and Socialization in Behavioral Parent Training: A Proof-of-Concept Study
Chloe Zachary1, Deborah J Jones1, Laura G McKee2
11 The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Insights
Caregiver emotion regulation and socialization practices predict treatment success in low-income families with disruptive behavior disorders (DBDs). Behavioral Parent Training (BPT) showed significant positive outcomes for these children.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Behavioral Therapy
- Family Studies
Background:
- Low-income families face barriers to accessing Behavioral Parent Training (BPT) for early-onset disruptive behavior disorders (DBDs).
- Understanding predictors of treatment engagement and outcomes in this population is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the role of caregiver emotion regulation and socialization practices in BPT for low-income families.
- To identify factors influencing treatment process and outcomes in children with DBDs.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 15 low-income families participating in the Helping the Noncompliant Child (HNC) BPT program.
- Assessment of baseline caregiver emotion regulation and socialization practices.
- Evaluation of BPT treatment duration and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Baseline caregiver emotion regulation predicted BPT treatment duration and outcomes.
- Caregiver emotion socialization practices explained concurrent child behavior severity and BPT outcomes.
- BPT demonstrated effect sizes comparable to or exceeding specialized emotion-focused interventions.
Conclusions:
- Caregiver emotion regulation and socialization are key factors in BPT for low-income families with DBDs.
- Evidence-based BPT is effective for this population, yielding significant improvements.
- Future research should explore targeted interventions for emotion regulation and socialization within BPT.
Abstract:
Low-income families are less likely to effectively engage in Behavioral Parent Training (BPT), the standard of care for early-onset (3-8 years old) disruptive behavior disorders (DBDs); however, relatively little is known about predictors of treatment process and outcome within this vulnerable group. Given literature to suggest compromises associated with both low-income status and DBDs, this study examined the role of caregiver emotion regulation and socialization practices in 15 low-income families who participated in one evidence-based BPT program, Helping the Noncompliant Child (HNC). Findings suggest baseline caregiver emotion regulation predicted variability in BPT treatment duration and outcomes, whereas baseline caregiver emotion socialization practices explained variation in the severity of child disruptive behaviors concurrently, as well as BPT treatment outcomes. Furthermore, BPT yielded pre- to posttreatment effect sizes that were equivalent to or better than treatments designed to more explicitly target emotion regulation and socialization processes. Clinical implications and future directions are discussed.