Research on parent training: shortcomings and remedies

This paper reviews the research on parent training, identifies shortcomings, and recommends various remedies. We review parent training research along three general dimensions: (1) overall effectiveness, (2) differences in effectiveness attributable to certain features of the program, and (3) durability and generalization. Recommendations include using a model of human behavior that focuses on the functional behavioral repertoire, assessing additional family variables that include the child's role and participation, utilizing control and experimental groups, documenting the process of change and the family's use of community services, and using longitudinal designs that enable investigators to monitor the family's use of training materials and knowledge over a longer period of time.