Evaluating the effectiveness of the Incredible Years parent training programme: single participant assessment of parental self-efficacy as a mediator of improved child behaviour outcomes

Although the role of parenting self-efficacy in parenting practices has been investigated, its possible role as a mediator of improvements in child behaviour as a result of parenting programmes has been overlooked as an explicit research focus.

This study presents findings from a combined quantitative and qualitative study with four parents in a rural area of the South of England who attended the Incredible Years 12-week parenting programme.

Single-participant assessment of intervention mediators was used (Gaynor and Harris, 2008). Positive pre- to post-intervention change was identified for all four participants, two of whom went on to report additional improvements in child behaviour early in the course of the parenting programme that were not attributable to the programme.

Onset of the intervention was associated with substantial changes in parenting sense of efficacy (PSE) for three out of four participants, and for two this increased PSE appeared to plausibly account for within-intervention improvements in their children's behaviour.

Interview transcripts were subjected to interpretative phenomenological analysis. Resultant themes focused on the role of:

• reflecting on parenting and gaining perspective
• viewing self as agent of change and positive thinking
• developing understanding and skills
• breaking habits

The study may be seen as expanding the knowledge base on mechanisms of change in parenting as a result of Family Behavioural Interventions (specifically combining single-participant statistical assessment with qualitative data that are attentive to mediating mechanisms) and informing professionals who might design and facilitate parenting programmes.