Evaluated the effectiveness of parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) for 24 mother-child dyads (children aged 2.5-7 yrs). Families received 14 weekly sessions of PCIT, with half receiving child-directed interaction treatment first (CDI-1st group) and half receiving parent-directed interaction treatment first (PDI-1st group). At midtreatment, the PDI-1st treatment stage was more effective than the CDI-1st treatment stage for reducing noncompliance and disruptiveness. At posttreatment, the PDI-1st group was more improved on parent report of conduct problems, and mothers were more satisfied with therapy. Families in both groups moved from outside normal limits to within normal limits on compliance, conduct problems, activity level, and maternal stress, and showed improvement in internalizing problems and child self-esteem. Gains were maintained at 6-wk follow-up.

Child Study Lab
Department of Clinical and Health Psychology
University of Florida
P.O. Box 100165
Gainesville, FL 32610
Phone (352) 265-0680 x 46878
E-mail: seyberg@hp.ufl.edu
© 2001 University of Florida
Last updated: March 07, 2006.