Research PCIT: (Graziano) Condensing Parent Training: A Randomized Trial Comparing the Efficacy of a Briefer, More Intensive Version of Parent-Child Interaction T herapy (I-PCIT)

The current study examined the comparative efficacy of a more intensive version of
PCIT (i.e., 5 days per week over 2 weeks) versus a time-limited weekly PCIT format (i.e., 1 day
per week over 10 weeks) in treating early childhood externalizing behavior problems. Results
indicated comparable improvements across most observed and parent-reported outcomes.
Comparable treatment gains remained at follow-up, with the caveat that parents in time-limited
PCIT reported lower externalizing behavior problems compared with I-PCIT, although both
groups were still significantly better compared to pretreatment. Parents experiencing high levels
of stress benefited more from I-PCIT in terms of decreasing child externalizing behavior
compared with time-limited PCIT. Overall, I-PCIT appears to be a viable treatment option for
families, especially those experiencing high levels of stress, in terms of targeting early
externalizing behavior problems within a short period of time.