Parents Plus Systemic, Solution-Focused Parent Training Programs: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
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Authors
O'Dwyer, Claire
Twomey, Conal
Davis, Brid
Sharry, John
Brosnan, Eileen
Carr, Alan
Issue Date
2025-06-30
Type
Journal Article
Systematic Review
Meta-Analysis
Review
Systematic Review
Meta-Analysis
Review
Language
en
Keywords
child behavior problems , goal attainment , meta‐analysis , multifamily group therapy , parent satisfaction , parent stress , parent training , systemic therapy
Alternative Title
Abstract
This systematic review and meta-analysis of Parent Plus (PP) Program evaluation studies aimed to update a previous meta-analysis published in 2017. PP programs are systemic, solution-focused, group-based parent training interventions for the prevention and treatment of a range of child and adolescent problems. Controlled or uncontrolled, randomized or non-randomized trials involving at least 10 cases which evaluated PP programs were included in the review. PsycINFO, PubMed, CINAHL, and ERIC databases were searched from January 2016 to January 2014. Risk of bias was evaluated with RoB2 and ROBINS-I. Since the last meta-analysis, the pool of PP studies has increased by 25%. This updated meta-analysis included 21 studies involving 1179 families. In controlled trials, there were significant between-group, post-intervention effect sizes for child behavior (g = 0.42 [0.25, 0.59], p < 0.001, k = 13), goal attainment (g = 1.22 [0.83, 1.60], p < 0.001, k = 9), parental satisfaction (g = 0.67 [0.36, 0.98], p < 0.001, k = 8) and parental stress (g = 0.45 [0.20, 0.71], p < 0.01, k = 10) favoring PP programs. The main limitation of the review was the risk of bias in the primary studies reviewed. This updated meta-analysis shows that PP programs are evidence-based, systemic interventions that may lead to positive outcomes for families of children with emotional and behavioral problems, post-divorce adjustment difficulties, intellectual disability, ADHD, and at risk of obesity. Trial Registration: PROSPERO: CRD42024504594.
Description
Citation
O'Dwyer C, Twomey C, Davis B, Sharry J, Brosnan E, Carr A. Parents Plus Systemic, Solution-Focused Parent Training Programs: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Fam Process. 2025 Jun;64(2):e70049. doi: 10.1111/famp.70049. PMID: 40497418; PMCID: PMC12153020.
Publisher
License
© 2025 The Author(s). Family Process published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Family Process Institute.
Journal
Family process
Volume
64
Issue
2
PubMed ID
ISSN
1545-5300