Effects of a systematic parent training program on parental attitudes and child behavior

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to generate data which would provide an enlarged empirical base for Systematic Training in Effective Parenting (STEP), an Adlerian based parent study program. The major objective of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of the STEP program facilitated by non-professional lay leaders as compared to the program facilitated by skilled, professional leaders. The study was designed to examine the effectiveness of the STEP program based on the measurement of changes in parental child-rearing attitudes, child behavior and parental behavior. An attempt was made to widen the data base of STEP, and other Adlerian based models, by restricting the research population to couples, rather than single parent and by using preschool children as the target population. A total of 32 parents, 16 couples, of preschool children participated in this study. Couples were selected on a voluntary basis and no attempt was made to restrict the sample in terms of age, social class, level of education, or ethnic variables. Three treatment conditions were designed. Experimental Group 1 was co-facilitated by a male and a female who were experienced in leading parent groups and had previously used the STEP program. Experimental Group 2 was co-facilitated by a male and a female who had no experience in leading parent groups and who had never used the STEP program..