DOES PARENT TRAINING WITH YOUNG NONCOMPLIANT CHILDREN HAVE LONG-TERM EFFECTS

The current study was a long-term follow-up (approx. 14 yr following t reatment) of 26 late adolescents/young adults (17 yr and older) who ha d participated in parent training with their mothers when they were yo ung (2-7 yr old) noncompliant children. Parent training, consisting of teaching mothers to use attends and rewards for appropriate behavior, clear commands and time-out, had reduced deviant behavior and increas ed compliance immediately following treatment. At this follow-up, thes e individuals were compared to a matched community sample on various m easures of delinquency, emotional adjustment, academic progress and re lationship with parents. No differences emerged between the two groups on any of the measures, suggesting that noncompliant children who par ticipated in parent training during their early years are functioning as well as nonclinic individuals as they move into adulthood.