Do Maternal Internalizing Problems Influence Treatment Outcomes in Group-Based vs. Individualized Child Behavior Management Interventions?

Abstract

Coping Power (CP) is an evidence-based manualized group therapy targeting child conduct problems at the family level. We examined maternal-internalizing problems (e.g., depressive and anxiety symptoms) as a predictor of treatment response for children with disruptive behavior when comparing group treatment (CP) versus non-standardized individualized treatment. Ninety-three mothers participated. CP was similar or better than individual treatment for families with maternal-internalizing problems. Marginally significant improvements in child conduct problems and inconsistent discipline were found among mothers in CP with internalizing problems. Findings highlight the potential efficacy of CP for child and parenting needs among families with maternal-internalizing problems.

Keywords:

• Disruptive behavior
• internalizing disorder
• mothers
• randomized controlled trial
• treatment

Note

Acknowledgments

At the time of writing this manuscript, Dr. Roos was supported by a Research Manitoba New Investigator Operating Grant and Ms. Joyce by the Vanier Canadian Graduate Scholarship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict interest was reported by the authors(s).

Notes

1 Data collected from these measures were not maintained for the purposes of the original study, i.e., participants were identified as meeting or not meeting criteria.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by a grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) awarded to Dr. Andrade.