(PS10-B38) Understanding Satisfaction with Telehealth Behavioral Parent Training: Links with Parental Executive Functioning and Household Chaos

We know that Behavioral Parent Training (BPT) effectively reduces behavioral problems in young children. However, BPT appears more effective for some families than others, particularly when delivered in brief and/or group formats. There is a paucity of research on parents’ satisfaction level with brief, group BPT programs when delivered through telehealth. Evidence finds that childcare responsibilities, time constraints, and transportation requirements typically interfere with BPT satisfaction; therefore, telehealth may be a more viable delivery format. However, factors at the individual- and family-level may impact parental satisfaction and preference for receiving BPT through telehealth. Based on evidence that maternal executive functioning difficulties (EF) and higher amounts of household chaos are linked to targets of BPT (i.e., parenting practices; child behavioral concerns), we sought to explore if these factors predicted satisfaction or preference for delivery format of BPT. This study intends to describe satisfaction and preferences for receiving a brief (6-session), group-based BPT program delivered through telehealth among caregivers (n = 30) of 3- to 7-year-olds with elevated mental health concerns. We anticipated parents would generally find the program satisfying and prefer to access via telehealth. Further, we explored if parental EF difficulties and household chaos predict varying preferences or satisfaction with telehealth delivery.

At baseline, parental EF difficulties were measured the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning (BRIEF-2), and the Confusion, Hubbub, and Order (CHAOS) scale measured household chaos. Parents also completed the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire and a survey assessing preference for telehealth delivery following intervention. Preliminary findings were conducted and will be re-evaluated prior to the ABCT conference. Satisfaction was generally high (Mean = 26.24). However, there was wide range of parental satisfaction (SD = 4.87; range = 16 to 32), with some families reporting all of their needs had been met, and others saying little to none of their needs had been met. Parents mostly preferred telehealth (60%) though the remaining either did not have a preference (28%) or would have preferred in-person (12%). Parents with more EF difficulties tended to find group satisfying (r = .27), but did not prefer telehealth (r  = -.19). Parents who endorsed higher household chaos tended to find the group less satisfying (r = -.23) and did not prefer telehealth (r = -.33). Although preliminary findings were not statistically significant (p-values > .10), the effect size magnitudes of correlations were generally small-to-moderate and warrants re-evaluation as data collection is ongoing. We expect it will be feasible to recruit 30 more parent-child dyads before ABCT in November 2023. We anticipate presenting findings that will have significant implications for the field by expanding literature on currently under-represented populations (e.g., parents with EF difficulties, high-chaos households) and providing ethical and treatment considerations regarding telehealth or in-person delivery formats of BPT for these populations.