The effectiveness of behavioral parent training to modify antisocial behavior in children: A meta-analysis

From 117 studies on the outcome of behavioral parent training (BPT) to modify child antisocial behavior, 26 controlled studies met criteria for inclusion in a meta-analysis. Results support the short-term effectiveness of BPT to modify child antisocial behavior at home and school, and to improve parental personal adjustment. However, research still needs to examine if positive changes as a function of BPT are maintained over time, are comparable to changes resulting from other interventions for child antisocial behavior, and are related to important methodological and contextual variables. Findings and directions for future research are discussed in light of the limitations of the current literature on antisocial child behavior.