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Topic: 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

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Definition for Parent Training Programs that Address Behavior Problems in Children and Adolescents:

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 in this Topic Area

The programs listed below have been reviewed by the CEBC and, if appropriate, been rated using the Scientific Rating Scale.

Seven Programs with a Scientific Rating of 1 - Well-Supported by Research Evidence:

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Nine Programs with a Scientific Rating of 2 - Supported by Research Evidence:

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21 Programs with a Scientific Rating of 3 - Promising Research Evidence:

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One Program with a Scientific Rating of 4 - Evidence Fails to Demonstrate Effect:

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Nine Programs with a Scientific Rating of NR - Not able to be Rated:

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  • ABCD Parenting Young Adolescents
    Parents of children and adolescents, aged 9 to 14 years old
  • Circle of Security Parenting (COSP)
    Groups of caregivers (parents, foster/adoptive parents, and early learning providers) of infants, toddlers, and children younger than 6 years old; ...
  • Connecting
    Youth 11-15 years old currently in foster or relative care and their caregivers
  • CORE Teen
    Prospective and current parents who are, or will be, raising older children from foster care (ages 10 or older) who have ...
  • Intensive Parent Model
    [PRAXES Intensive Model]
    Parents of children, ages 3-18, with either mental health disorders or intellectual disabilities
  • Parent Project's Changing Destructive Adolescent Behavior, The
    Parents of what are collectively referred to as "strong-willed," or out-of-control adolescents and older children (11-17 years old), ...
  • Parenting Inside Out (PIO)
    Criminal-justice and systems-involved parents (e.g., incarcerated, substance abuse, child welfare) of children ages 0-19 who may be at risk ...
  • Quality Parenting
    Parents, grandparents, teachers, babysitters, and other caretakers who need support - information and practical skills - to create an environment ...
  • Strengthening Families Program (SFP)
    Parents and their children ages 0-17 who need skills to reduce family conflict and the risk of abuse or neglect, ...

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.