The effectiveness of parenting program components on disruptive and delinquent behaviors during early and middle childhood: a component network meta-analysis

Objectives: The present study tested the efficacy of parenting program components in reducing disruptive or delinquent child behaviors at first post-treatment for families with children in early versus middle childhood. Methods: Eighty-five studies were identified, containing five parenting components (Psychoeducation [PE], Behavior management [BM], Relationship enhancement [RE], Parental self-management [SM], and Parent as a coach [PC]). Results: For both early and middle childhood, four parenting program components were effective, namely (1) BM, (2) BM with RE, (3) BM with SM, and (4) BM with PE and RE and SM and PC. However, BM with RE and SM, as well as BM with PE and RE and SM, were effective during early childhood. BM with RE appeared to be the most beneficial intervention during early childhood, while BM was most effective during middle childhood. Conclusion: The evidence highlights the need to implement different programmatic components developmentally, during early versus middle childhood.