Authors: Lisseth Rojas-Flores, Charmaine Lowe, and Sofia Herrera
Parent training has been well documented as one of the most effective methods for reducing behavioral problems in children (Brestan & Eyberg, 1998; Kazdin, 1997). In recent years, several research studies have endorsed the use of behavioral interventions to inform parenting practices. In particular, these methods advocate for guiding children away from maladaptive behavior in the context of fostering a positive and warm relationship between parents and children. Such research-informed behavioral interventions have been highly favorable not only for long-term treatment effects, but also as a cost cutting measure with built-in accountability to both managed care insurance panels (Taylor & Biglan, 1998) and the families they serve. As the United States continues to experience the growth of ethnically diverse populations, there is an increasing demand for the identification and implementation of effective interventions that may accommodate and address the unique needs of socioeconomically disadvantaged and ethnically diverse families. Empirically-supported parenting programs (ESP) have the potential of meeting the accountability movement in mental health while effectively meeting the needs of diverse communities.