Alison Moses

Doctoral Dissertation Announcement

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Candidate: Alison Moses

Degree of: Doctor of Philosophy

Department: Psychology

Title: Child Parent Relationship Therapy for Parents of Children with Disruptive Behavior

Committee:
Dr. Galen Alessi, Chair
Dr. Scott Gaynor
Dr. Amy Damashek
Dr. Helen Pratt

Date: Monday, June 4, 2012 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
3713 Wood Hall

Abstract:
Young children who display extreme levels of disruptive behaviors are at increased risk for later academic difficulties, poor social relationships and adolescent delinquency, making early intervention efforts a priority. Studies evaluating Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) have demonstrated its effectiveness in improving parental empathy, improving parental acceptance, decreasing parenting stress, and decreasing perceived child problem behavior. These outcomes, however, must be evaluated in light of several research limitations (e.g., lack of randomization, use of non-standardized measures, lack of treatment integrity data). Well conducted studies that assess the effectiveness of CPRT on specific presenting problems are needed to better evaluate the impact, versatility, and long-term effect of this treatment. The purpose of the current study is to determine, in the context of a natural multiple baseline design across participants design, the impact of the CPRT protocol on parent report of 1) child disruptive behavior, 2) parenting relationship, 3) acceptance of the child, 4) parenting stress and direct observation of 5) parental displays of empathy, 6) positive parent behaviors and 7) child disruptive behavior when used for parents with children displaying disruptive behavior. Results suggest that CPRT is effective in reducing parent report of child disruptive behavior, improving parent ratings of their relationship with their child relative to attachment, communication, involvement, parenting confidence and relational frustration, decreasing parenting stress, improving parent report of acceptance of their child, increasing observations of empathy, and positive parent behavior for parents of children with disruptive behavior.