(PS10-B41) Efficacy and Acceptability of “telegroup” Parent Behavior Management Training for Disruptive Behaviors

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a rapid transition of mental health services to telemedicine format. There is almost no prior research on the acceptability and efficacy of delivering group interventions in a virtual Telegroup format, including PBMT for disruptive behavior and ADHD. Given the sustained popularity of telemedicine and its ability to increase mental healthcare access to under-resourced regions, it is crucial to examine the efficacy of Telegroup programs, as well as patient experience to continue to expand acceptability and access to such treatments.  

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a PBMT Telegroup program offered at Seattle Children’s Hospital and to explore parental satisfaction with the Telegroup format.

Methods: The “Superparenting” program is an evidence-based PBMT group for caregivers of children ages 5-12 with disruptive behaviors, ADHD, or adjustment problems. The program transitioned from in-person to Telegroup meetings in 2020 and meets for 9 weekly one-hour sessions led by two group leaders along with 12-15 families. Primary skills taught in the program include special time, catch’em being good, and planned ignoring. Enrolled families were asked to complete baseline questionnaires on demographics and treatment goals; they complete standardized measures (Disruptive Behavior Disorder Rating Scale (DBDRS), Alabama Parenting Questionnaire (APQ-9), and Impairment Rating Scale (IRS)) at baseline and post-treatment as well as program satisfaction surveys.

Results: Out of 294 families enrolled, 188 completed the Telegroup and 58 completed posttest measures. Overall, there was a significant decrease in oppositional, t(57) = 5.51, p < 0.001, inattentive, t(57) = 2.15, p = 0.04, and impulsive, t(57) = 2.32, p = 0.02, behaviors compared to baseline. Although inconsistent discipline significantly decreased, t(56) = 2.41, p = 0.02, there was not a significant change in positive parenting, t(56) = 0.28, p = 0.78, or poor supervision, t(56) = 1.36, p = 0.18. Significant decreases in child impairment were also noted, t(54) = 4.15, p < 0.001 and 91% of families were satisfied with the Telegroup format as opposed to an in-person group. 90% of families agreed that they were able to follow along with the content and actively participate in group, 93% of families agreed that they saw improvements in themselves as a parent or saw improvements in their child because of group and 95% would recommend this group to other families. When asked about what aspects of the program were less helpful, responses included wanting more handouts, feeling that the program did not match their primary concerns or level of impairment, technology difficulties, and navigating interpersonal group dynamics.

Conclusion: Results suggest that the PBMT can be delivered effectively in a Telegroup format and leads to significant behavior and functional changes. Additionally, families were overwhelmingly in favor of the Telegroup format.