Incredible Years - Child Treatment (IY-CT) - a comprehensive programme for parents, teachers, and children to prevent, reduce, and treat behavioural and emotional problems in children with ODD or/and ADHD
At a glance
Country of origin
- USA
Level(s) of intervention
- Indicated prevention,
- Selective prevention
The child training component is comprised of weekly two-hour sessions for 18-19 weeks during which two therapists work with 6-7 children and focus on social skills, conflict resolution, empathy-building, problem solving and cooperation. Teachers and parents receive weekly letters explaining the concepts covered and strategies to reinforce skills taught. Children are assigned homework to complete with their parents and receive weekly good behaviour-charts that parents and teachers complete. The child training prevention programme is also described in a separate write-up.
Links to this programme in other registries
- USA - Blueprints Programs
- The Netherlands - Databank Effectieve Jeugdinterventies
- UK - CYAT - mentor-adepis
- UK - Early Intervention Foundation Guidebook
Implementation Experiences
Read the experiences of people who have implemented this programme.
Contact details
Dr. Carolyn Webster-Stratton, Ph.D
Incredible Years, University of Washington
1411 8th Avenue West
Seattle, WA 98119
USA
Phone: 1 (206) 285-7565 / 1(888) 506-3562
Email: cwebsterstratton[a]comcast.net
Website: www.incredibleyears.com
Overview of results from the European studies
Studies overview
The programme has been evaluated in two small studies, one each in Wales, UK and Turkey, and two randomised controlled trials, one each in Ireland in Norway.
The Welsh study was a small pilot with 24 children aged 5 to 9 years. It is unclear how groups were allocated but the implementation was alongside the Incredible Years Teacher Classroom Management programme. There were no significant differences between groups on any of the measures (assessing behaviour).
Another small study was conducted in Turkey with 32 children aged 4 to 6 years. The study found effects on social problem-solving, but not on child behaviour and social competence.
The Irish study was conducted with 45 children aged 3-7 years with symptoms of ADHD. There were two intervention groups and one control group. Both intervention groups received the Incredible Years Parent Programme; one also received the child training. The difference between the combined group and control group were largely insignificant, with the exception of SDQ impact scale. Compared to the parent-only intervention group, there was a significant difference only on one outcome – hyperactivity – in favour of the parent-only group, suggesting no added benefit of the child training.
The Norwegian study used a similar design with 136 children aged 4-8 years displaying oppositional or conduct problems randomly allocated to three groups: parent-only, parent and child training combined and control group. At posttest, children in the combined parent and child training had significantly lower aggression scores (as reported by mothers, but not fathers) compared to the control. In terms of parent measures, there were significant intervention effects on all 4 mother reports (harsh discipline, inconsistent parenting, positive parentings and stress), and 2/4 father reports. There were no effects on attention problems, internalising problems or intensity. Compared to the parent-only group, the only significant difference (father reported problems) favoured the parent-only group.
Countries where evaluated
- Ireland,
- Norway,
- United Kingdom
Characteristics
Protective factor(s) addressed
- Family: attachment to and support from parents
- Family: parent involvement in learning/education
- Family: parent social support
- Individual and peers: Problem solving skills
- Individual and peers: skills for social interaction
- School and work: opportunities for prosocial involvement in education
Risk factor(s) addressed
- Family: aggressive or violent parenting
- Family: family management problems
- Family: neglectful parenting
- Individual and peers: anti-social behaviour
- Individual and peers: hyperactivity
- Individual and peers: other
- School and work: low commitment/attachment to school/workplace
Outcomes targeted
- Positive relationships
- Relations with peers
- Other behaviour outcomes
Description of programme
The Incredible Years Series is a comprehensive programme for parents, teachers, and children with the goal of preventing, reducing, and treating behavioural and emotional problems in children aged two to eight. There are versions for parents, teachers and children.
The last addition was the training series for children (Dina Dinosaur Curriculum), a "pull out" treatment programme for small groups of children exhibiting conduct problems. This curriculum emphasizes emotional literacy, empathy and perspective taking, friendship development, anger management, interpersonal problem-solving, following school rules, and school success.
Implementation Experiences
