Background: The long-term effectiveness of parent training for children with externalizing behaviour problems under routine care within the German health care system is unclear. We report the 1-year follow-up results of the parent training component of the Prevention Program for Externalizing Problem Behaviour (PEP) for 270 children aged 3–10 years with externalizing behaviour problems. Method: Outcome measures included child behaviour problems (externalizing behaviour problems, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder symptoms and Oppositional Defiant Disorder symptoms) and parenting (self efficacy of parenting and perceived ability to solve difficult parenting situations). Data were analysed using multilevel modelling. Results: Comparison of the changes during the 3-month waiting and treatment periods revealed significantly stronger treatment effects on all outcome measures, indicating a substantial decrease in child behaviour problems and a significant increase in parenting due to treatment. At 1-year follow-up, initial treatment effects on child behaviour problems were maintained, while parenting continued to improve. Conclusions: Families whose children exhibited externalizing problem behaviour profit from PEP and improvements are maintained for at least one year.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural treatment (CBT) with a focus on academic skills and conduct problems and to increase parents' educational skills in managing aggressive and oppositional behaviour in a subsequent parent training (PMT). For this purpose 18 children with a diagnosis of ADHD combined type participated in the study. In an A-B study design the effects of a 12-week treatment phase (6 weeks CBT; 6 weeks PMT) were compared with a preceding 4-week baseline. Core symptoms of ADHD, conduct problems and individual problem behaviour were assessed by weekly administration of parent and teacher questionnaires. The results indicate a significant and generalized reduction of ADHD core symptoms, conduct problems and homework problems during CBT at home and at school. PMT resulted in a further amelioration of the cited symptoms. We conclude that CBT may be a promising component in the treatment of ADHD provided that aspects of generalization are considered during the treatment. PMT may be a useful adjunct in most cases as it is effective in situations where the ADHD child still has problems of self-guidance.

This study set out to evaluate the use of a video based parent training programme (The Webster–Stratton Programme) in the management of children referred to child mental health services for treatment of behaviour problems. Following diagnostic assessment children were assigned to one of two groups: parents of both groups completed the parenting programme and, in addition, in the second group the child received an intervention appropriate to his/her clinical presentation. The waiting list control group waited 3 months prior to allocation to either treatment group. Standardised rating scales were administered pre-treatment, post-treatment and at 6-month follow-up to both treatment groups, and at an interval of 3 months to the control group. Improvement was significantly greater in both the treatment groups than in the control group. Parenting training programmes are an effective intervention in the management of clinic-referred children with behaviour disorders.