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Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis: Impact of Conduct Problem Severity, Comorbid Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Emotional Problems, and Maternal Depression on Parenting Program Effects

Leijten, Patty, Scott, Stephen, Landau, Sabine, Harris, Victoria, Mann, Joanna, Hutchings, Judy, Beecham, Jennifer, Gardner, Frances (2020) Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis: Impact of Conduct Problem Severity, Comorbid Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Emotional Problems, and Maternal Depression on Parenting Program Effects. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, . ISSN 0890-8567. (doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2020.01.023) (KAR id:80293)

Abstract

Objective: There is concern whether established parenting programs for children’s conduct problems meet the needs of families with severe and complex mental health problems. For example, many children with conduct problems show comorbid ADHD or emotional problems, or have parents who are depressed, but families with such complex mental health problems typically seen in real life are often underrepresented in evaluation trials. We tested whether children with more severe conduct problems, and those with more complex mental health problems, benefit less from the Incredible Years parenting program, using individual participant data meta-analysis of randomized trials in Europe. Method: In 1,696 families from 13 trials (child age 2−11; 37% girls; 58% low income; 30% ethnic minority; 98% mothers), we used moderator analysis within a multilevel model to test whether initial conduct problem severity, comorbid ADHD or emotional problems and maternal depression diminished intervention effects for children’s conduct problems. Results: The Incredible Years program reduced children’s conduct problems overall (Cohen’s d = −0.35), but more so in children with more severe conduct problems. There was no evidence that children’s comorbid ADHD and emotional problems changed the intervention benefits. Children of mothers with more depressive symptoms benefited more. Conclusion: Children with more severe conduct problems derive greater, rather than lesser, benefits from a high-quality group parenting program, and comorbid ADHD and emotional problems do not reduce effects; maternal depression, rather than being linked to less child change, were associated with greater reductions in children’s conduct problems.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1016/j.jaac.2020.01.023
Uncontrolled keywords: conduct problems, parenting program, comorbidity, parental depression, individual participant data meta-analysis
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Personal Social Services Research Unit
Depositing User: Jennifer Beecham
Date Deposited: 28 Feb 2020 09:18 UTC
Last Modified: 10 Dec 2022 04:53 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/80293 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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