Understanding Differential Effectiveness of Behavioral Parent Training from a Family Systems Perspective: Families Are Greater than “Some of Their Parts”

Behavioral parent training (BPT) is a theory-driven, evidence-based, and widely used intervention strategy for preventing decreasing children's disruptive behavior problems, indirectly via improved parenting behavior. However, not all families benefit equally from BPT. To date, our knowledge of who benefits (and does not) understanding why some more than others limited. An important challenge research practice finding ways to tailor interventions the needs an individual family increase their effectiveness. We put forward systems theory as tool gain insight into which (do BPT why. synthesize theoretical foundations empirical support putative mechanisms through functioning may explain effectiveness propose in can help strengthen design, implementation, evaluation programs.