Abstract
Studies have shown that, on average, Parent Management Training combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy decreases children’s
externalizing behavior, but some children do not improve through treatment. The current study aimed to examine the role of
maternal depression in understanding this variability in treatment outcome. Children with externalizing behavioral problems
and their parents were recruited from combined Parent Management Training and Cognitive-Behavioral programs in “real-world”
clinical settings. At pre- and post treatment, maternal depression and children’s externalizing behavior were assessed. Results
showed that treatment was less effective for children of depressed mothers compared to non-depressed mothers and that improvements
in maternal depression were associated with improvements in children’s externalizing behavior. These findings suggest that
treatment programs for children with externalizing problems may be able to improve outcomes if maternal depression is a target
of intervention.
externalizing behavior, but some children do not improve through treatment. The current study aimed to examine the role of
maternal depression in understanding this variability in treatment outcome. Children with externalizing behavioral problems
and their parents were recruited from combined Parent Management Training and Cognitive-Behavioral programs in “real-world”
clinical settings. At pre- and post treatment, maternal depression and children’s externalizing behavior were assessed. Results
showed that treatment was less effective for children of depressed mothers compared to non-depressed mothers and that improvements
in maternal depression were associated with improvements in children’s externalizing behavior. These findings suggest that
treatment programs for children with externalizing problems may be able to improve outcomes if maternal depression is a target
of intervention.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s10862-011-9228-7
- Authors
- Linda M. A. van Loon, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9104, 6500 HE, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Isabela Granic, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9104, 6500 HE, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Rutger C. M. E. Engels, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9104, 6500 HE, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Journal Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment
- Online ISSN 1573-3505
- Print ISSN 0882-2689