A critical review of parent training research

This project was designed to review and evaluate parent training research conducted between 1975 and 1990 and, based on the results, suggest some directions for future research. One hundred forty-eight published studies were analyzed regarding the effectiveness of parent training as an intervention. Eighteen journals with behavioral psychology, clinical/counseling psychology, school psychology, and special education emphases were represented in the review. The reviewed studies were classified as group or case studies and were categorized in terms of theoretical orientation adopted and methodology employed. Case studies exhibited several methodological shortcomings, including limited social validation and treatment integrity data and an over-reliance on single, rather than multiple, outcome measures. Group studies also did not routinely collect treatment integrity information, and 50% of group parent training research did not employ control groups. Recommendations for future directions in parent training research are provided.