Effects of a Parenting Group on Family Relationships and Child Behavior Problems

The current study is aimed at assessing the effectiveness of the Parent Project, a structured parenting group used with the parents of adolescents, 12 to 15 years old, who have been identified as experiencing behavior problems. The Parent Project focuses on improving the parent child relationship and family environment. Participants included 12 caretakers who have completed the 10-week program. Intervention effects were evaluated at baseline and upon completion of the program. It was hypothesized that parents would report significantly greater improvements in the parent-child relationship, family environment, and child behavior problems at completion of the program. Statistical and clinical significant finding were present across all three domains. Specifically, parents reported being more involved, supportive, communicative, and likely to set limits. Family changes were also found through increased organization and decreased conflict. Moreover, there was an overall reduction in child behavior problems