Self-administered videotape therapy for families with conduct-problem children: comparison with two cost-effective treatments and a control group.

Abstract

Parents of 114 conduct-problem children, aged 3-8 years, were randomly assigned to one of four groups: an individually administered videotape modeling treatment (IVM), a group discussion videotape modeling treatment (GDVM). a group discussion treatment (GD), and a waiting-list control group. Compared ~4th the control group, all three treatment groups of mothers reported significantly fewer child behavior problems, more prosocial behaviors, and less spanking. Fathers in the GDVM and IVM conditions and teachers of children whose parents were in the GDVM and GD conditions also reported significant reductions in behavior problems compared ~4th control subjects. Home visit data indicated that all treatment groups of mothers, fathers, and children exhibited significant behavioral changes. There were relatively few differences between treatment groups on most outcome measures, although the differences found consistently favored the GDVM treatment. However, cost effectiveness was the major advantage of the IVM treatment.