Evaluating a brief behavioral parenting program for parents of school-aged children with ADHD

Objective. Typical parenting programs require considerable time inputs, which can be a significant barrier to program access. Here we assessed whether a brief behavioral parenting program, 1-2-3 Magic, would be effective in reducing disruptive behavior and ADHD symptoms in school-aged children with ADHD and dysfunctional parenting in their parents. 

Design. Fifty-seven parents of children aged 6–12 years were randomly allocated to the treatment group (n= 28) or waitlist-control group (n= 29). Treatment-group parents participated in the 1-2-3 Magic group program over three consecutive weeks. Treatment-group data were collected at pre-, post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up, and control-group data were collected at pre- and post-intervention, with child and parental behavior change assessed using the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory, Parent Stress Index, and Conners.

Results. Parents in the treatment-group reported less child disruptive behavior, reduced child ADHD symptom severity, and less dysfunctional parenting at post-intervention compared with controls. Post-intervention results indicated that the major intervention effects were maintained at the 6-month follow-up.

Conclusions. Findings provide preliminary treatment efficacy for this brief behavioral parenting intervention for school-aged children with ADHD and their parents.