Training parents in behavior modification: Effects on perceptions of family interaction and deviant child behavior

Changes in parental perceptions of the family environment and of the number of deviant behaviors emitted by target children were assessed before and after group training of parents in behavior modification techniques. The data on nine families in which parents attended a series of 10 didactic sessions on basic behavioral approaches to child management were compared to those collected for eight families assigned to a wait control group. Designated target children in both groups were also observed in the home by trained observers who recorded the frequency of deviant behaviors using Patterson's Behavioral Coding System. A significant increase in family cohesion was reported by the treated parents, along with a significant decrease in their perception of problem behaviors. Parents in the control group reported no such changes. Home observation data corroborated parents' reports.