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Parental Social Cognitions: Considerations in the Acceptability of and Engagement in Behavioral Parent Training

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Abstract

Behavioral parent training (BPT) is a widely used, evidence-based treatment for externalizing child behaviors. However, the ability of BPT programs to be maximally effective remains limited by relatively low rates of acceptance, attendance, and adherence to treatment. Previous reviews have focused on a variety of demographic and mental health characteristics of parents and children that are predictive of poor outcomes in BPT. This paper focuses instead on consideration of parental social cognitions, and how incorporation of these cognitions may, or may not, be useful in advancing the effectiveness of BPT. We first review evidence suggesting limited incremental effects to incorporating parental cognitions within the context of BPT programs. Then, we examine the role of two particular types of parental social cognitions, attributions and parenting efficacy, in relation to the initial stages of accepting and engaging in BPT. We conclude by noting limitations in available research on the links between parental social cognitions and BPT, and we outline a number of potentially useful directions that may clarify whether or not parental social cognitions should be accorded greater attention either in the initial stages or throughout BPT programs.

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Acknowledgments

During the writing of this paper, the first author was supported by a scholarship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. We would like to thank Scott Carlson and Sheila Woody for their valuable comments on earlier versions of this paper.

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  1. Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z4

    Janet W. T. Mah & Charlotte Johnston

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  1. Janet W. T. Mah
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Correspondence to Charlotte Johnston.

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Mah, J.W.T., Johnston, C. Parental Social Cognitions: Considerations in the Acceptability of and Engagement in Behavioral Parent Training. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 11, 218–236 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10567-008-0038-8

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