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Understanding parent-child interaction therapy outcomes across treatment duration

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  • Wortham, Kaitlyn
  • Yard, Mindy
  • Brestan-Knight, Elizabeth

Abstract

Attrition in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an ongoing challenge encountered by clinicians. However, evidence suggests that families who attend some PCIT sessions but terminate before completing the full protocol still experience significant decreases in child disruptive behaviors (Lieneman et al., 2019). The present study examined both disruptive behaviors and parenting skills acquisition among four groups: one treatment completer group and three early terminator groups categorized by session attendance. All groups demonstrated significant improvements in caregiver-reported child disruptive behaviors and observed parenting skills from pre-treatment to final session attended, although families who completed the full PCIT protocol appeared to experience the greatest benefits. These findings may provide encouragement to clinicians experiencing high attrition rates and inform strategies to optimize treatment benefits at various stages of PCIT implementation.

Suggested Citation

  • Wortham, Kaitlyn & Yard, Mindy & Brestan-Knight, Elizabeth, 2025. "Understanding parent-child interaction therapy outcomes across treatment duration," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:179:y:2025:i:c:s0190740925005183
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108635
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Blair, Katelyn & Topitzes, James & Mersky, Joshua P., 2019. "Brief, group-based parent-child interaction therapy: Examination of treatment attrition, non-adherence, and non-response," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    2. Abrahamse, Mariëlle E. & Niec, Larissa N. & Junger, Marianne & Boer, Frits & Lindauer, Ramón J.L., 2016. "Risk factors for attrition from an evidence-based parenting program: Findings from the Netherlands," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 42-50.
    3. Danko, Christina M. & Garbacz, Lauren Legato & Budd, Karen S., 2016. "Outcomes of Parent–Child Interaction Therapy in an urban community clinic: A comparison of treatment completers and dropouts," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 42-51.
    4. Chen, Yi-Chuen & Fortson, Beverly L., 2015. "Predictors of treatment attrition and treatment length in Parent‐Child Interaction Therapy in Taiwanese families," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 28-37.
    5. Quetsch, Lauren Borduin & Girard, Emma I. & McNeil, Cheryl B., 2020. "The impact of incentives on treatment adherence and attrition: A randomized controlled trial of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy with a primarily Latinx, low-income population," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
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