Conjoint Consultation using Self-Administered Manual and Videotape Parent-Teacher Training: Effects on Children's Behavioral Difficulties

This research involved comparing the effectiveness of two different approaches of conjoint consultation using a manual versus a videotape series as the main components of training parents and teachers to treat children's behavioral difficulties. Children exhibiting externalizing or internalizing behavioral problems who attended Head Start Programs were targeted for this intervention. During the first 2 years of the project, a manual-based program was conducted. The last 3 years of the project involved delivery of the parent-teacher training program through a series of videotapes and accompanying manuals. Children were randomly assigned to either an experimental or no treatment control group. The effectiveness of the intervention within the experimental group was assessed primarily through a pretest-posttest, experimental-control, group repeated-measures design. Direct behavioral observations did not indicate clinically relevant improvements in behavior; however, parents' and teachers' goal attainment reports characterized students as meeting their overall behavior goals. Parents and teachers also reported high rates of treatment acceptability and satisfaction with the manual and videotape treatment programs. Implications are discussed for future research on evidence-based treatments.