Comparative effectiveness of structured clinician-guided and self-guided parent training for preschool

Adidsuda Fuengfoo1,2, Arpa Rafsanjani1, Thanyaporn Mekrungcharas1,2

  • 1Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, Bangkok, Thailand.

Insights

Culturally adapted parent management training (PMT) significantly reduced ADHD symptoms in Thai preschoolers. This brief, group-based intervention showed high acceptability and potential for low-resource settings.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Developmental Disorders
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) poses a global challenge, particularly in Thailand where diagnostic and treatment models face cultural and resource limitations.
  • Parent management training (PMT) is a recommended intervention, but its efficacy in collectivist, low-resource settings is not well-understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally adapted, group-based PMT program for Thai caregivers of preschoolers at risk for ADHD.
  • To assess the program's impact on reducing ADHD symptoms and enhancing positive parenting.

Main Methods:

  • A single-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) involved caregivers of preschoolers (3-5 years) identified as at risk for ADHD.
  • Participants were randomized to either a culturally adapted group-based PMT or a control group receiving standard educational materials.
  • Outcomes were measured using caregiver-reported scales at baseline, 2 weeks, and 6 weeks.

Main Results:

  • The PMT group showed significant reductions in ADHD symptoms (Cohen's d>1.2), including hyperactivity-impulsivity and inattention, sustained over 6 weeks.
  • Positive parenting scores improved significantly at 2 weeks (d=0.74), with some sustained benefits at 6 weeks.
  • The intervention demonstrated 100% retention and no adverse events, indicating high acceptability.

Conclusions:

  • This study offers the first controlled evidence for a culturally adapted, group-based PMT intervention in Southeast Asia.
  • The program's feasibility, brevity, and cultural alignment make it a promising scalable early intervention for ADHD in collectivist, low-resource contexts.
Abstract