Primary Care Triple P for parents of NICU graduates with behavioral problems: a randomized, clinical trial using observations of parent¿child interaction (BMC Pediatrics)

Background: Preterm-born or asphyxiated term-born children show more emotional and behavioral problems at preschool age than term-born children without a medical condition. It is uncertain whether parenting intervention programs aimed at the general population, are effective in this specific group. In earlier findings from the present trial, Primary Care Triple P was not effective in reducing parent-reported child behavioral problems. However, parenting programs claim to positively change child behavior through enhancement of the parent?child interaction. Therefore, we investigated whether Primary Care Triple P is effective in improving the quality of parent?child interaction and increasing the application of trained parenting skills in parents of preterm-born or asphyxiated term-born preschoolers with behavioral problems. Methods: For this pragmatic, open randomized clinical trial, participants were recruited from a cohort of infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care units of two Dutch hospitals. Children aged 2?5 years, with a gestational age