A recently published, HRB-funded Cochrane review, led by Mairéad Furlong and Dr. Sinéad McGilloway from the Department of Psychology, Maynooth University and involving a team of international experts, has shown that behavioural, group-based parenting programmes are effective and cost effective in reducing childhood conduct problems and in improving parental mental health. The cost of programme delivery – approximately €2200 per family – is modest in the context of the long-term health, social, educational and legal costs associated with childhood conduct problems (€315,000 per family). Such parenting programmes can be successfully implemented within different service settings and are effective for families from all socioeconomic backgrounds, including those living in the most disadvantaged areas. The results from this research are of particular significance for parents, practitioners and policymakers in informing decision-making on the future implementation of evidence-based interventions in the prevention and treatment of childhood conduct problems.
Read the story as reported in the Irish Times here.