AbstractsPsychology

The aim of this study was to find out if change in parent behavior is associated with change in preadolescent problem behavior during parent training programs. A total of 561 single parents or couples of mainly Swedish origin were randomized into one out of four parent training programs with different theoretical bases. Parents’ self-reports of their own behavior and of their children’s intensity as well as impact of problem behavior, lack of attention, and hyperactivity showed that effects were equal across interventions for both children and parents. 12 parent constructs were measured. All of them except positive parent behavior constructs correlated with all four outcomes for children on significant levels. Negative parent behavior predicted change in all child outcomes on a highly significant level.