Barry, S. (2013)

Validating the Parent Training Topic Preference Scale (PTTPS): A Measure of Behavioral Parent Training Topic Preference

Shlomo Barry, M.S.

Dissertation Defense: Jully 31^st, 2013, 1 pm.

Lodge A

Abstract

Behavioral Parent Training (BPT) is the most well-researched, effective, and popular treatment for oppositional and antisocial behavior in children (Brestan and Eyberg, 1998; Patterson, 2002). While current BPT curricula focus on reinforcement strategies (e.g., tangible rewards) and punishment strategies (e.g., natural consequences), little research has examined parent preferences toward learning BPT strategies within these two topic areas. In order to examine how parent topic preferences may impact treatment engagement and outcome, a valid and reliable measure of BPT topic preference must first be developed. The current study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of The Parent Training Topic Preference Scale (PTTPS), a six-item measure that was developed to assess parent preference toward each of the central topics covered in BPT. As was hypothesized, two factors were extracted from the measure via principle components analysis, and the two PTTPS subscales demonstrated a high degree of internal consistency. Analyses of construct validity showed that scores on the PTTPS were significantly correlated with parental beliefs about their own level of parenting skill but were not significantly correlated with parent beliefs about the global importance of particular BPT topics. Results suggest that the PTTPS shows promise as a valid and reliable measure of parent topic preference, but limitations of the study include the absence of potentially relevant items on the measure and a lack of information about test-retest reliability. Recommendations for future research include further development and validation of the PTTPS, as well as an exploration of the relation between parent topic preferences and ratings of treatment acceptability, treatment adherence and engagement.