Proposed Measures to Improve Attendance in Parent Training Programs

Children displaying behavioral problems can often continue with these nonconformities as they grow to maturity, creating a cycle of negativity that affects not only their own lives, but those of their family and the community. Evidence-based research have demonstrated that regular parent training program attendance can initiate a significant reduction in children¿s conduct problems, as parents acquire better child-management skills. Unfortunately, fewer than 15% of families participate in parent training; efforts to deliver the intended benefits of parenting interventions are often severely effected by high dropout rates and inconsistent attendance. Attrition is common and can occur during either assessment or program implementation. Thus, parent training programs (PTPs) real value is severely diminished. This study was designed to help parent training program directors and facilitators (using measurements) identify potential dropouts of PTPs, and devise initiatives wherein they stay in training. The Manual is an integral component because it generates information about parents whose perception of barriers to training interferes with their further program participation.