Effects of the Incredible Years Program in Families of Children with ADHD

Abstract

The efficacy of two parent training programs for families of school-age children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder was examined as well as comorbidity as a treatment moderator. Seventy-seven families were assigned to either medication plus the Incredible Years parent training program (parents received on average 26 h of interventions), medication plus a telephone support group (parents received on average 4 h of interventions), or a medication group. Parenting practices were assessed pre-intervention and post-intervention through direct observations and parental self-reports. Results showed that parents in the Incredible Years and telephone support groups reported using more praise and incentives compared to parents in the medication group. Parents in the Incredible Years group also reported using less harsh and inconsistent discipline compared to parents in the other two groups, while parents in the telephone support reported using less harsh and inconsistent discipline compared to the medication group. Findings from the observational measure indicated that parents in the Incredible Years group used less harsh/negative parenting practices and more positive parenting practices following the intervention compared to parents in the telephone support and medication groups. Comorbidity did not moderate treatment effects. This study provides support for the Incredible Years program combined with medication to improve parenting in families of school-age children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with or without the presence of comorbidity.