Skip to content

Parent Training Programs that Address Behavior Problems in Children and Adolescents

Scientific Ratings in this Topic
  • 1 Well-Supported by Research Evidence
  • 2 Supported by Research Evidence
  • 3 Promising Research Evidence
  • 4 Evidence Fails to Demonstrate Effect
  • 5 Concerning Practice
  • NR Not able to be Rated

Topic Areas

Topic Areas

Definition

Parent Training Programs that Address Behavior Problems in Children and Adolescents are defined by the CEBC as parent training services for parents/caregivers that have a goal of preventing or reducing common behavior problems in children and adolescents. Click here to see the overall Parent Training Programs topic area page.

  • Target population: Parents who may need assistance dealing with common behavior problems in children, such as temper tantrums, back talk, conflict over homework or chores, etc. with a focus on changing the youth's behavior through a parent-mediated approach
  • Service(s)/types that would fit: Direct intervention with parents in individual or group formats delivered face-to-face, via internet, or through recorded media (e.g., videos)
  • Delivered by: Trained paraprofessionals, educators, or mental health professionals
  • In order to be included: The overall focus of the program must be on parent training and have a goal of preventing and/or reducing child behavior problems (i.e., the program may have multiple goals with preventing and/or reducing child behavior problems being one of them).
  • In order to be rated: There must be research evidence (as specified by the Scientific Rating Scale) that examines outcomes in child symptom levels, functioning, and/or behaviors (e.g., mental health, disruptive behaviors, etc.). In addition, research evidence may also examine outcomes in parenting behavior (e.g., changes in behavior management skills).

Downloadable Topic Area Summary

Definition

Parent Training Programs that Address Behavior Problems in Children and Adolescents are defined by the CEBC as parent training services for parents/caregivers that have a goal of preventing or reducing common behavior problems in children and adolescents. Click here to see the overall Parent Training Programs topic area page.

  • Target population: Parents who may need assistance dealing with common behavior problems in children, such as temper tantrums, back talk, conflict over homework or chores, etc. with a focus on changing the youth's behavior through a parent-mediated approach
  • Service(s)/types that would fit: Direct intervention with parents in individual or group formats delivered face-to-face, via internet, or through recorded media (e.g., videos)
  • Delivered by: Trained paraprofessionals, educators, or mental health professionals
  • In order to be included: The overall focus of the program must be on parent training and have a goal of preventing and/or reducing child behavior problems (i.e., the program may have multiple goals with preventing and/or reducing child behavior problems being one of them).
  • In order to be rated: There must be research evidence (as specified by the Scientific Rating Scale) that examines outcomes in child symptom levels, functioning, and/or behaviors (e.g., mental health, disruptive behaviors, etc.). In addition, research evidence may also examine outcomes in parenting behavior (e.g., changes in behavior management skills).

Downloadable Topic Area Summary

Programs

Family Check-Up

Caregivers of children 2-17 years old in the middle class or lower socioeconomic level

Scientific Rating 1

GenerationPMTO (Individual Delivery Format)

Parents of children/youth 2-18 years of age with disruptive behaviors such as conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and anti-social behaviors

Scientific Rating 1

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy

Children ages 2.0 - 7.0 years old with behavior and parent-child relationship problems; may be conducted with parents, foster parents, or other caretakers

Scientific Rating 1

Triple P – Positive Parenting Program – Level 4®

For parents and caregivers of children and adolescents from birth to 12 years old with moderate to severe behavioral and/or emotional difficulties or for parents that are motivated to gain a more in-depth understanding of positive parenting

Scientific Rating 1

Chicago Parent Program

Parents of young children 2-5 years old; may be used with parents/caregivers of children 6-8 years old

Scientific Rating 2

Hitkashrut

Families with children who are showing early signs of conduct problem development

Scientific Rating 2

Triple P Online

All parents or caregivers of children ages 0-12 years

Scientific Rating 2

Tuning in to Kids

Parents and caregivers of children with disruptive behavior between 3 and 12 years of age; can be used with parents and caregivers of children without disruptive behavior between 3 and 12 years of age as a preventive or early intervention

Scientific Rating 2

Tuning in to Teens™

Parents and caregivers of children and adolescents aged 10-18 years.

Scientific Rating 2

Active Parenting of Teens

Parents and caregivers of preteens and teens ages 10 to 17 with a wide range of problems including oppositional behavior, poor self-esteem, lack of general life skills

Scientific Rating 3

Early Pathways Program

Children 6 years of age and younger with significant behavior and/or emotional problems including trauma and their primary caretaker(s)

Scientific Rating 3

Helping the Noncompliant Child

Parents of children (age 3-8 years old) who are noncompliant and have related disruptive behavior/conduct problems

Scientific Rating 3

Parent-Child Care

Caregiver and child age 1-10 years who has or is at high-risk of developing behavior problems or who is adjusting to a new home or family situation

Scientific Rating 3

Parenting Wisely: Teen Edition

Families with children at risk for or with behavior problems, substance abuse problems, or delinquency

Scientific Rating 3

Positive Discipline Parent Education

Parents of children and adolescents (birth through 18 years) who are typically developing; and teachers of children (toddlers through adolescence) who are typically developing; parents, teachers, and service providers of children with special needs (infants through teens), including children with disorders of attachment, children on the autism spectrum and children exposed to trauma

Scientific Rating 3

Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) – Caregiver Training

Caregivers (including birth parents, resource parents, and residential direct care staff) of children, youth, and young adults (0-25) who are at risk for/have histories of relational trauma, including maltreatment, abuse, neglect, violence, absence of a consistent caregiver, and involvement in child welfare and/or juvenile justice settings

Scientific Rating 3

Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) – Online Caregiver Training

Parents (e.g., birth parents, foster parents, kinship parents, adoptive parents, etc.) and caregivers of children who have histories of relational trauma or have experienced early adversity such as maltreatment, abuse, neglect, multiple home placements, and violence.

Scientific Rating 3

CORE Teen

Prospective and current parents who are, or will be, raising older children from foster care (ages 10 or older) who have moderate to severe emotional and behavioral challenges that require intensive coordinated services to prevent restrictive or congregate placements

Scientific Rating NR

Circle of Security Parenting

Groups of caregivers (parents, foster/adoptive parents, and early learning providers) of infants, toddlers, and children younger than 6 years old; can be used universally or in targeted fashion through serving high-risk populations such as Early Head Start participants, teen moms, or parents with irritable babies

Scientific Rating NR

Connecting

Youth 11-15 years old currently in foster or relative care and their caregivers

Scientific Rating NR

Intensive Parent Model

Parents of children, ages 3-18, with either mental health disorders or intellectual disabilities

Scientific Rating NR

Parenting Inside Out

Criminal-justice and systems-involved parents (e.g., incarcerated, substance abuse, child welfare) of children ages 0-19 who may be at risk for, or presenting with, behavior problems

Scientific Rating NR

Quality Parenting

Parents, grandparents, teachers, babysitters, and other caretakers who need support - information and practical skills - to create an environment of emotional safety for children in their care that is built upon mutual respect

Scientific Rating NR

Strengthening Families Program

Parents and their children ages 0-17 who need skills to reduce family conflict and the risk of abuse or neglect, including substance abusing parents, those already reported for child maltreatment, and those who need skills to deal with a disruptive child

Scientific Rating NR

The Parent Project’s Changing Destructive Adolescent Behavior

Parents of what are collectively referred to as "strong-willed," or out-of-control adolescents and older children (11-17 years old), including children diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, and most children diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. The program has also been used with adult children still living in the home.

Scientific Rating NR

Programs

Family Check-Up

Caregivers of children 2-17 years old in the middle class or lower socioeconomic level

Scientific Rating 1

GenerationPMTO (Individual Delivery Format)

Parents of children/youth 2-18 years of age with disruptive behaviors such as conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and anti-social behaviors

Scientific Rating 1

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy

Children ages 2.0 - 7.0 years old with behavior and parent-child relationship problems; may be conducted with parents, foster parents, or other caretakers

Scientific Rating 1

Triple P – Positive Parenting Program – Level 4®

For parents and caregivers of children and adolescents from birth to 12 years old with moderate to severe behavioral and/or emotional difficulties or for parents that are motivated to gain a more in-depth understanding of positive parenting

Scientific Rating 1

Chicago Parent Program

Parents of young children 2-5 years old; may be used with parents/caregivers of children 6-8 years old

Scientific Rating 2

Hitkashrut

Families with children who are showing early signs of conduct problem development

Scientific Rating 2

Triple P Online

All parents or caregivers of children ages 0-12 years

Scientific Rating 2

Tuning in to Kids

Parents and caregivers of children with disruptive behavior between 3 and 12 years of age; can be used with parents and caregivers of children without disruptive behavior between 3 and 12 years of age as a preventive or early intervention

Scientific Rating 2

Tuning in to Teens™

Parents and caregivers of children and adolescents aged 10-18 years.

Scientific Rating 2

Active Parenting of Teens

Parents and caregivers of preteens and teens ages 10 to 17 with a wide range of problems including oppositional behavior, poor self-esteem, lack of general life skills

Scientific Rating 3

Early Pathways Program

Children 6 years of age and younger with significant behavior and/or emotional problems including trauma and their primary caretaker(s)

Scientific Rating 3

Helping the Noncompliant Child

Parents of children (age 3-8 years old) who are noncompliant and have related disruptive behavior/conduct problems

Scientific Rating 3

Parent-Child Care

Caregiver and child age 1-10 years who has or is at high-risk of developing behavior problems or who is adjusting to a new home or family situation

Scientific Rating 3

Parenting Wisely: Teen Edition

Families with children at risk for or with behavior problems, substance abuse problems, or delinquency

Scientific Rating 3

Positive Discipline Parent Education

Parents of children and adolescents (birth through 18 years) who are typically developing; and teachers of children (toddlers through adolescence) who are typically developing; parents, teachers, and service providers of children with special needs (infants through teens), including children with disorders of attachment, children on the autism spectrum and children exposed to trauma

Scientific Rating 3

Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) – Caregiver Training

Caregivers (including birth parents, resource parents, and residential direct care staff) of children, youth, and young adults (0-25) who are at risk for/have histories of relational trauma, including maltreatment, abuse, neglect, violence, absence of a consistent caregiver, and involvement in child welfare and/or juvenile justice settings

Scientific Rating 3

Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) – Online Caregiver Training

Parents (e.g., birth parents, foster parents, kinship parents, adoptive parents, etc.) and caregivers of children who have histories of relational trauma or have experienced early adversity such as maltreatment, abuse, neglect, multiple home placements, and violence.

Scientific Rating 3

CORE Teen

Prospective and current parents who are, or will be, raising older children from foster care (ages 10 or older) who have moderate to severe emotional and behavioral challenges that require intensive coordinated services to prevent restrictive or congregate placements

Scientific Rating NR

Circle of Security Parenting

Groups of caregivers (parents, foster/adoptive parents, and early learning providers) of infants, toddlers, and children younger than 6 years old; can be used universally or in targeted fashion through serving high-risk populations such as Early Head Start participants, teen moms, or parents with irritable babies

Scientific Rating NR

Connecting

Youth 11-15 years old currently in foster or relative care and their caregivers

Scientific Rating NR

Intensive Parent Model

Parents of children, ages 3-18, with either mental health disorders or intellectual disabilities

Scientific Rating NR

Parenting Inside Out

Criminal-justice and systems-involved parents (e.g., incarcerated, substance abuse, child welfare) of children ages 0-19 who may be at risk for, or presenting with, behavior problems

Scientific Rating NR

Quality Parenting

Parents, grandparents, teachers, babysitters, and other caretakers who need support - information and practical skills - to create an environment of emotional safety for children in their care that is built upon mutual respect

Scientific Rating NR

Strengthening Families Program

Parents and their children ages 0-17 who need skills to reduce family conflict and the risk of abuse or neglect, including substance abusing parents, those already reported for child maltreatment, and those who need skills to deal with a disruptive child

Scientific Rating NR

The Parent Project’s Changing Destructive Adolescent Behavior

Parents of what are collectively referred to as "strong-willed," or out-of-control adolescents and older children (11-17 years old), including children diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, and most children diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. The program has also been used with adult children still living in the home.

Scientific Rating NR

Why was this topic chosen by the Advisory Committee?

The Parent Training Programs topic area is relevant to child welfare because parents of children in the child welfare system are often required or encouraged to attend parent training programs. There are specific parent training programs that have been studied, for which there is evidence of efficacy, and which are applicable to the child welfare population. It is critical for us to know what works for families. If counties and courts are aware of what programs work in improving parent functioning they will be able to prescribe effective programs and avoid using programs that have no demonstrated positive impact on parental functioning.

Danna Fabella, Director, Federal Linkages
Child & Family Policy Institute of California
Sacramento, CA

Stuart Oppenheim, Executive Director
Child & Family Policy Institute of California
Sacramento Office
Sacramento, CA

Deborah Reeves
Former CEBC Advisory Committee Member

Why was this topic chosen by the Advisory Committee?

The Parent Training Programs topic area is relevant to child welfare because parents of children in the child welfare system are often required or encouraged to attend parent training programs. There are specific parent training programs that have been studied, for which there is evidence of efficacy, and which are applicable to the child welfare population. It is critical for us to know what works for families. If counties and courts are aware of what programs work in improving parent functioning they will be able to prescribe effective programs and avoid using programs that have no demonstrated positive impact on parental functioning.

Danna Fabella, Director, Federal Linkages
Child & Family Policy Institute of California
Sacramento, CA

Stuart Oppenheim, Executive Director
Child & Family Policy Institute of California
Sacramento Office
Sacramento, CA

Deborah Reeves
Former CEBC Advisory Committee Member

Topic Expert

When the CEBC launched in 2006, Parent Training Programs was one of its two original topic areas. Richard Barth, PhD was the topic expert and was involved in identifying and rating any of the programs with an original load date of June 2006 (as found on the bottom of the program's page on the CEBC). The topic area has grown over the years and in 2016, the topic area was split and expanded. All of the Parent Training Programs that Address Behavior Problems in Children and Adolescents added since 2006 were identified by CEBC staff, the Scientific Panel, and/or the Advisory Committee. For these programs, Dr. Barth was not involved in identifying or rating them.

Topic Expert

When the CEBC launched in 2006, Parent Training Programs was one of its two original topic areas. Richard Barth, PhD was the topic expert and was involved in identifying and rating any of the programs with an original load date of June 2006 (as found on the bottom of the program's page on the CEBC). The topic area has grown over the years and in 2016, the topic area was split and expanded. All of the Parent Training Programs that Address Behavior Problems in Children and Adolescents added since 2006 were identified by CEBC staff, the Scientific Panel, and/or the Advisory Committee. For these programs, Dr. Barth was not involved in identifying or rating them.