Study helps improve child behaviour

EARLY intervention by parents can drastically reduce behavioural problems in young children in just a few months, a new study shows.

Parents who took part in a three-month early intervention programme found emotional and behavioural problems were reduced by more than a third, while their children's ability to engage in a positive way with their peers improved by 25%.

It is the first time that the programme's effectiveness within a designated disadvantaged community has been assessed and underlines the need to deal with emotional and behavioural problems early in a child's life so as to avoid later anti-social problems.

The study, launched by Tánaiste and Health Minister Mary Harney, examined 32 parents with 28 children, aged from three to 11, in The Incredible Years Basic Parent Training Programme - a weekly two-hour programme run by the Clondalkin Partnership in west Dublin.

The programme, developed in the US and part-funded by Atlantic Philanthropies, the group linked with US billionaire Chuck Feeney, has been shown to reduce problem behaviour by up to 80%.

Over half of the parents involved in the study were referred to the programme by the local health authority, while a further 35% sought out the programme on their own. The remaining 10% were referred by the partnership via schools and community organisations.

The vast majority of parents who took part in the survey were women and more than half were single parents. Around three-quarters were in full-time employment.

Dr Sinead McGilloway, lecturer at the Department of Psychology at NUI Maynooth, who undertook the research together with post-graduate colleague, Caroline Kelleher, said even with a small sample they were able to see significant improvement in children's behaviour.

"It is convincing evidence that the programme works and we now plan to build on the study's findings," said Dr McGilloway.

Parents described difficulties in managing their child's problems both within and outside the family home. Tantrums, arguments, aggressive and violent outbursts and frequent shouting and screaming were just some of the behaviours reported.

Dr McGilloway said some parents found their self-esteem had improved, felt less stressed and depressed and got on better with their children. All of the parents agreed that the schools should be involved in the programme as early as possible.