A randomised controlled trial of the Group Stepping Stones Triple P training programme for parents of children with developmental disabilities

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 728-753
Author(s):  
Ailbhe Ruane ◽  
Alan Carr ◽  
Valerie Moffat ◽  
Tania Finn ◽  
Angela Murphy ◽  
...  

The central aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of Group Stepping Stones Triple P (GSSTP) in an Irish context for families of children with both developmental disabilities and internalising and externalising behavioural problems. Parents of 84 children (mean age = 5.73; SD = 2.06) with developmental disabilities and co-occurring behaviour problems attending Irish public health services were randomly assigned to a 9-week GSSTP group or a waiting list control (WLC) group. All parents completed self-report measures before (Time 1) and after (Time 2) the programme and parents in the GSSTP group were assessed at 3- to 5-month follow-up (Time 3). At Time 2, clinical improvement and reliable change rates on the primary dependent variables (summary scales of the Developmental Behaviour Checklist and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) were significantly higher in the GSSTP group than in the WLC group. At Time 2, mean scores of the GSSTP group showed significant, small to medium improvements relative to the WLC group on parent-reported child behaviour problems, parenting skills and confidence, and parental adjustment. Most of these improvements were maintained at 3- to 5-month follow-up. These results indicate that GSSTP is a promising intervention for improving child behaviour and parenting outcomes in a mixed-disability group in an Irish context.

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 694-711
Author(s):  
Ailbhe Ruane ◽  
Alan Carr ◽  
Valerie Moffat

In this qualitative study, we evaluated parents’ and facilitators’ experiences of the Group Stepping Stones Triple P (GSSTP) programme for parents of children with disabilities. The study was embedded in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of GSSTP and carried out in the Irish public health service. Eight parents and three psychologists participated in the study. We used a semi-structured interview schedule to collect data and conducted a thematic content analysis of interview transcripts to identify particularly useful and less helpful aspects of the programme and ways that its future delivery may be improved. We conducted separate analyses on parent and psychologist data. The main findings were that parents considered the GSSTP to have helped them develop better self-regulation and behaviour management skills, which contributed to improved family relations. Negative aspects of the programme included the use of dated videos, the volume of programme content, the attrition rate and the shortcomings of the programme in meeting the complex needs of vulnerable families. Improvement suggestions included increasing flexibility of manualised content, providing follow-up support to vulnerable parents, incentivizing parents to attend and updating videos.


1995 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 211-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Bowman ◽  
Rob Sanson-Fisher ◽  
Catherine Boyle ◽  
Stephanie Pope ◽  
Sally Redman

Objective – To assess the comparative efficacy, by randomised controlled trial, of three interventions designed to encourage “at risk” women to have a Pap smear: an educational pamphlet; letters inviting attendance at a women's health clinic; and letters from physicians. Methods – Subjects at risk for cervical cancer who had not been adequately screened were identified by a random community survey and randomly allocated to one of the intervention groups or a control group. Six months after intervention implementation, a follow up survey assessed subsequent screening attendance. Self report was validated by comparison with a national screening data base. Results – A significantly greater proportion of women (36.9%) within the group receiving a physician letter reported screening at follow up than in any other group (P =0.012). The variables most strongly predicting screening attendance were: age, perceived frequency of screening required, use of oral contraceptives, and allocation to receive the physician letter intervention. Conclusions – The relative efficacy of the GP letter in prompting screening attendance shows that this strategy is worthy of further investigation. There remains a need to examine the barriers to screening for older women, and to develop tailored strategies for this population.


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