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The Efficacy of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) for Disruptive Behavior Disorders in Young Children: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Abstract
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) has emerged as a leading intervention for young children with disruptive behavior disorders, providing a structured and empirically supported approach to improving parent-child interactions and reducing problem behaviors. This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluates the efficacy of PCIT in reducing disruptive behavior symptoms and improving parent-child relationships in young children. Through a comprehensive review of the literature, the meta-analysis synthesizes effect sizes from RCTs assessing the effectiveness of PCIT compared to control conditions (e.g., waitlist, treatment as usual) in targeting core symptoms of disruptive behavior disorders, including oppositional behavior, aggression, defiance, and noncompliance. Additionally, it examines potential moderators of treatment outcomes, such as therapist fidelity, parent involvement, session format (individual vs. group), and child characteristics (e.g., age, severity of symptoms), to better understand the factors influencing the effectiveness of PCIT for young children with disruptive behavior disorders.
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References
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