Parent behavioral training for problem children: an examination of studies using multiple outcome measures.

The purpose of the present paper was to review parent training studies that have used multiple outcome measures to evaluate treatment effectiveness. Twenty-four studies were identified which used at least two of the following three measures: independent observer-collected data, parent-collected data, and parent-completed questionnaire data. A description of the instruments and procedures used with each assessment technique was presented. The results indicated that all three outcome measures have yielded positive results; however, parent-collected data and parent questionnaire data were associated with more positive outcome results than data collected by independent observers. Limitations of each assessment procedure were discussed and recommendations about which measures to use were made.