Background

Parent–child interaction therapy (PCIT) is an evidence-based approach typically used for children aged 2–7 with externalizing disorders. Research suggests that PCIT is effective in treating a broad range of populations and problems. Several adaptations of PCIT have been developed for its use with children younger than the age of 2, though it is unclear how efficacious these adaptations are. Given the differences in terminology used in the developmental adaptations of PCIT, the current meta-analysis defines 12–24-month-olds as younger preschoolers and 25–59-month-olds as older preschoolers.

Objectives

The current meta-analysis aims to synthesize the literature on PCIT with children younger than the age of 5 and compare the effect of PCIT for younger preschoolers and older preschoolers.

Methods

Searches of PsycINFO and PubMed yielded 30 studies meeting inclusion criteria which were aggregated via meta-analysis.

Results

Statistical analyses suggest that PCIT overall has a large aggregate effect size when examining child externalizing symptoms, child internalizing symptoms, caregiver distress, and caregiver behaviors. PCIT interventions for older preschoolers were found to be comparably effective as PCIT adaptations for younger preschoolers in improving child externalizing symptoms, caregiver distress, and caregiver behaviors.

Conclusions

Overall, this meta-analysis provides preliminary findings that PCIT adaptations for younger preschoolers are effective in improving the well-being of children and caregivers. These adaptations may have benefits beyond the outcomes examined in this meta-analysis and future studies should continue to focus on the effects of these adaptations.

中文翻译：

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学龄前青少年的亲子互动疗法：发育特异性的荟萃分析

背景

亲子互动疗法 (PCIT) 是一种基于证据的方法，通常用于 2-7 岁患有外化障碍的儿童。研究表明，PCIT 可有效治疗广泛的人群和问题。已经开发了几种 PCIT 改编版用于 2 岁以下的儿童，但尚不清楚这些改编版的效果如何。鉴于 PCIT 发展适应中使用的术语不同，目前的荟萃分析将 12-24 个月大的儿童定义为年轻的学龄前儿童，将 25-59 个月的儿童定义为年长的学龄前儿童。

目标

目前的荟萃分析旨在综合有关 5 岁以下儿童的 PCIT 文献，并比较 PCIT 对年轻学龄前儿童和年长学龄前儿童的影响。

方法

对 PsycINFO 和 PubMed 的搜索产生了 30 项符合纳入标准的研究，这些研究通过荟萃分析进行汇总。

结果

统计分析表明，在检查儿童外化症状、儿童内化症状、照顾者痛苦和照顾者行为时，PCIT 总体具有较大的总效应量。发现针对年龄较大的学龄前儿童的 PCIT 干预与针对年轻学龄前儿童的 PCIT 适应在改善儿童外化症状、照顾者痛苦和照顾者行为方面相当有效。

结论

总体而言，这项荟萃分析提供的初步结果表明，针对学龄前儿童的 PCIT 适应措施可有效改善儿童和照顾者的福祉。这些适应可能具有超出本荟萃分析检查结果的益处，未来的研究应继续关注这些适应的影响。