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Date of Graduation
5-12-2022
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
Department
Department of Graduate Psychology
Advisor(s)
Trevor F. Stokes
Elena Savina
Bernice Marcopulos
Abstract
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in childhood have been associated with disruptive behaviors and attentional problems that may worsen over time and are often experienced as challenging for those in caregiving roles. Parents of children with TBI may evoke negative interactions to manage their child’s behavior through reliance on ineffective parenting practices. This results in increasingly maladaptive parent-child interactions that maintain or worsen problem behaviors of the child and further disrupt family functioning. Despite the importance of family functioning on child post-injury outcomes, the availability of family-based treatments for children with TBI is extremely limited. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an empirically supported treatment for young children with oppositional and disruptive behaviors. Although children with TBI experience similar deficits in attention and behavioral regulation, research is lacking in supporting PCIT outcomes specifically for children with TBI. This research evaluated adaptations to the standard PCIT protocol that may benefit treatment of parents and their children with TBI. Using a multiple-baseline design, the current study examined the effectiveness of telehealth-delivered PCIT in the home setting for a 9-year-old child with TBI and co-occurring behavioral and attentional difficulties. Adaptations were consistent with the recommendations set forth by Eyberg (2005) and maintained the conceptual integrity of PCIT by keeping the theoretical and empirical foundation while adding components to target the unique challenges of the pediatric TBI population. Meaningful, observable changes were shown in parent behaviors in addition to improved parent-child interactions. Positive changes in the child’s compliance to parent directions were observed and reported by parents. A reduction in parent perception of behavior problem frequency and parent-reported satisfaction with treatment goals, procedures, and outcomes also support clinically meaningful results.
Recommended Citation
Pogue, Emily D., "Delivery of parent-child interaction therapy in a telehealth format: Reducing disruptive behaviors in pediatric traumatic brain injury" (2022). Dissertations, 2020-current. 94.
https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/diss202029/94
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Behavioral Disciplines and Activities Commons, Child Psychology Commons, Clinical Psychology Commons, Mental and Social Health Commons
