Using telepsychology to provide a group parenting program: A preliminary evaluation of effectiveness

Psychol Serv. 2015 Aug;12(3):274-282. doi: 10.1037/ser0000018. Epub 2015 Jan 19.

Abstract

Telepsychology offers the potential to reach rural and underserved children and families with mental health concerns. The current study evaluated the effects of using videoconferencing technology to deliver an evidence-based parenting program, the Group Triple P Positive Parenting Program (Group Triple P; Turner, Markie-Dadds, & Sanders, 2002), with families who had a child experiencing behavioral problems. Using a pre/post design, families (N = 13) from low socioeconomic backgrounds in Kentucky completed the Group Triple P via a videoconferencing delivery format. A benchmarking strategy (Weersing & Hamilton, 2005) indicated that treatment effect sizes for the videoconferencing format were generally comparable to treatment effect sizes for Group Triple P studies conducted in-person. Specifically, child behavior and parenting outcomes were similar across delivery formats. Implications of the study's findings and future directions for telepsychology research and practice with underserved families and children are discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child Behavior / psychology*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care*
  • Parenting / psychology*
  • Problem Behavior / psychology*
  • Program Evaluation*
  • Psychotherapy, Group* / instrumentation
  • Psychotherapy, Group* / methods
  • Psychotherapy, Group* / standards
  • Rural Population
  • Telemedicine* / instrumentation
  • Telemedicine* / methods
  • Telemedicine* / standards
  • Videoconferencing
  • Young Adult