12. Conclusions
In his 1962 case study, Boardman reached the following conclusion regarding an intervention that resembles what today is called behavioral parent training for disruptive behavior problems:
“A procedure such as this produces rapid results — or none at all. In properly selected cases the probability of success is high, and the major risk involved lies in the assumption that the parent or parents are capable of initiative, rapid learning, and insight when faced with the responsibility for all of the actions required for repairing the relationship with their child. Many parents deserve such a vote of confidence” (p. 297).
The field of behavioral parenting interventions obviously has come a long way in the past 50 years. However, as is evident from the literature reviewed in this paper and particularly the directions for future research, there is still important work to be done. And, as Boardman notes, parents do deserve a vote of confidence by being “a co-therapist” for their child when the literature supports their inclusion in the therapeutic process!
Acknowledgments
The support of the Heinz and Rowena Ansbacher Professorship and the National Institute of Mental Health (R34MH082956; Clinical Trials Identifier: NCT01367847) is gratefully acknowledged. In addition, the insightful comments of two anonymous reviewers are acknowledged.