Helping the Noncompliant Child and Child Behavior Outcomes: An Exploratory Examination of Financial Strain

Theoretical models and empirical research have highlighted the impact of economic disadvantage on children's psychosocial development broadly and the onset, maintenance, and treatment of early-onset (3-8 years) behavior disorders (BDs) more specifically. In the context of intervention, evidence suggests that economic disadvantage may pose risk for diminished parent-mediated treatment efficacy (e.g., Behavioral Parent Training [BPT]) given its impact on salient factors in the family system. Though, studies have shown significant variability in BPT outcomes within families experiencing economic disadvantage, suggesting that additional influences may further contribute to disparities in the trajectory of treatment and maintenance of treatment gains for this population. To address this gap in existing knowledge, financial strain, or the inability to meet financial needs, was examined in families (N = 54) of young children (3-8 years old) with low-income and clinically elevated behavior problems participating in one BPT program, Helping the Noncompliant Child (HNC). Results demonstrated that families who experienced greater levels of financial strain prior to engaging in HNC exhibited diminished maintenance of parent reported child behavior gains following treatment. Financial strain did not significantly influence rate of change or maintenance of treatment gains for HNC clinician-coded child compliance. Clinical implications and directions for future research are discussed. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02191956, registered on 6/18/2014.