Have parenting programs for disruptive child behavior become less effective?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Behavioral parenting programs have been exhaustively studied over the past five decades. We used this wealth of research to examine how estimates of parenting program effects have evolved over time, and if any time trends in effect estimates can be explained by trial, sample, or intervention characteristics.

Methods

We based our meta-analysis on a systematic search of 22 international and regional databases, gray literature, and 4 trial registries for randomized controlled trials of behavioral parenting programs.

Results

We identified 244 eligible trials (1,100 effect sizes; 28,916 families) from 36 countries. Parenting program effects initially reduced and then stabilized. More recent trials used more rigorous methods (e.g., more active control conditions

SUBMITTER: Leijten P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12699127 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature