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01-12-2005

Prevention of Child Behavior Problems Through Universal Implementation of a Group Behavioral Family Intervention

Authors: Stephen R. Zubrick, Kristine A. Ward, Sven R. Silburn, David Lawrence, Anwen A. Williams, Eve Blair, Deborah Robertson, Matthew R. Sanders

Published in: Prevention Science | Issue 4/2005

Abstract

The aim of this mental health promotion initiative was to evaluate the effectiveness of a universally delivered group behavioral family intervention (BFI) in preventing behavior problems in children. This study investigates the transferability of an efficacious clinical program to a universal prevention intervention delivered through child and community health services targeting parents of preschoolers within a metropolitan health region. A quasi-experimental two-group (BFI, n = 804 vs. Comparison group, n = 806) longitudinal design followed preschool aged children and their parents over a 2-year period. BFI was associated with significant reductions in parent- reported levels of dysfunctional parenting and parent-reported levels of child behavior problems. Effect sizes on child behavior problems ranged from large (.83) to moderate (.47). Positive and significant effects were also observed in parent mental health, marital adjustment, and levels of child rearing conflict. Findings are discussed with respect to their implication for significant population reductions in child behavior problems as well as the pragmatic challenges for prevention science in encouraging both the evaluation and uptake of preventive initiatives in real world settings.

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Title: Prevention of Child Behavior Problems Through Universal Implementation of a Group Behavioral Family Intervention
Authors: Stephen R. Zubrick
Kristine A. Ward
Sven R. Silburn
David Lawrence
Anwen A. Williams
Eve Blair
Deborah Robertson
Matthew R. Sanders
Publication date: 01-12-2005
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Prevention Science / Issue 4/2005
Print ISSN: 1389-4986
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6695
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-005-0013-2

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