(PS1-C63) The Effectiveness of Parent-child Interaction Therapy for Youth with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A Meta-analysis

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects an estimated 2% of children ages 3-5 years and about 60% of these children are diagnosed with another behavioral or emotional disorder (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2022). Behavioral interventions are often the first line of treatment for children with ADHD in this age range, with only 18% of children ages 2-5 taking medication to treat their ADHD (CDC, 2022). When left untreated, ADHD can result in a myriad of negative long-term consequences, including substance use, antisocial behavior, and academic failure (Shaw et al., 2012). Thus, it is critical to determine early behavioral interventions that are effective in treating ADHD symptoms in young children.
 

While originally developed to treat disruptive behavior disorders, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) may also be well-suited to treat ADHD in young children due to the focus on parent training of positive and consistent parenting skills (Lanza et al., 2011). The current meta-analysis aims to synthesize the literature on the use of PCIT with children diagnosed with ADHD to determine its effectiveness in treating this population. Preliminary database searches were conducted on PsycINFO and PubMed for articles examining PCIT and ADHD. Out of 711 articles found with our search criteria (“parent child interaction therapy” OR PCIT), eight met the inclusion criteria, which were (1) the study had to implement PCIT, (2) all child participants had to be diagnosed with ADHD, (3) the study must have examined more than one participant and (4) the study had to be written in English.
 

Summary effect sizes were calculated using the standardized mean gain for child ADHD symptoms, child behaviors, parent stress symptoms, and parenting behaviors, and the Fail-Safe N was calculated to determine the robustness of the results.
 

Overall, PCIT had a significant positive effect on child ADHD symptoms (g = 1.12), parent stress symptoms (g = 0.82), and parenting behaviors (g = 1.37). However, there was not a significant effect on child behavioral measures (g = 0.42; e.g., motor movements, compliance). The Fail-Safe N was 15 for child ADHD symptoms suggesting the summary effect size was robust. Results of this meta-analysis suggest that PCIT is an effective treatment for reducing core symptoms of ADHD in young children. While the findings related to child ADHD symptoms were robust, more work related to the effect of PCIT on parent symptoms, parent behaviors, and child behaviors within a population diagnosed with ADHD may be needed.