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Key research findings

Here are some of the key research findings. The full Triple P evidence base can be found at https://pfsc-evidence.psy.uq.edu.au/

Triple P reduces problem behavior in children and improves parents' wellbeing and parenting skills.

Nowak, C. & Heinrichs, N. (2008). A comprehensive meta-analysis of Triple P - Positive Parenting Program using hierarchical linear modeling: Effectiveness and moderating variables. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 11, 114-144.

 

Triple P has been shown to slow rates of child abuse, reduce foster care placements and decrease hospitalizations from child abuse injuries.

Prinz, R.J., Sanders, M.R., Shapiro, C.J., Whitaker, D.J., & Lutzker, J.R. (2009). Population-based prevention of child maltreatment: The U.S. Triple P system population trial. Prevention Science, 10(1), 1-12.

In communities where Triple P is widely available, children have fewer behavioral and emotional problems.

Sanders, M.R., Ralph, A., Sofronoff, K., Gardiner, P., Thompson, R., Dwyer, S., & Bidwell, K. (2008). Every Family: A population approach to reducing behavioral and emotional problems in children making the transition to school. Journal of Primary Prevention, 29, 197-222.

Parents using Triple P say they are less stressed, less depressed and don't use harsh discipline.

Sanders, M.R., Ralph, A., Sofronoff, K., Gardiner, P., Thompson, R., Dwyer, S., & Bidwell, K. (2008). Every Family: A population approach to reducing behavioral and emotional problems in children making the transition to school. Journal of Primary Prevention, 29, 197-222.

Parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders using Stepping Stones Triple P report they are more satisfied as parents, their children's behavior has improved and their relationship with their partner is better.

Whittingham, K., Sofronoff, K., Sheffield, J. & Sanders, M.R. (2008). Stepping Stones Triple P: An RCT of a parenting program with parents of a child diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 37(4), 469-480.

UK parents who watched a reality television series (Driving Mum and Dad Mad) which showed other parents using Triple P, felt more confident in their parenting, less angry and less depressed than before watching the series.

Calam, R., Sanders, M.R., Miller, C., Sadhnani, V., & Carmont, S. (2008). Can technology and the media help reduce dysfunctional parenting and increase engagement with preventative parenting interventions? Child Maltreatment, 13(4), 347-361.

Triple P reduced disruptive child behavior problems in Chinese families

Leung, C., Sanders, MR., Leung, S., Mak, R. & Lau, J (2003). An outcome evaluation of the implementation of the Triple P - Positive Parenting Program in Hong Kong. Family Process, 42(4), 531-544.

The cost of offering Triple P throughout a community would be recovered in a single year if it brought about a (modest) 10 percent reduction in cases of child abuse and neglect.

Foster, E.M., Prinz, R.J., Sanders, M.R., & Shapiro, C.J. (2008). The costs of a public health infrastructure for delivering parenting and family support. Children and Youth Services Review, 30, 493-501.

 

Additionally, Triple P has been tested and shown to be effective in many culturally and ethnically diverse populations around the world, for example:

Iranian families

  • Tehrani-Doost, M., Shahrivar, Z., Gharaie, J.M., & Alaghband-Rad, J. (2009). Efficacy of positive parenting on improving children's behavior problems and parenting styles. Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, 14(4), 371-379.

Chinese families

  • Leung, C., Sanders, MR., Leung S., Mak, R. & Lau, J. (2003). An outcome evaluation of the implementation of the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program in Hong Kong. Family Process, 42(4), 531-544.

  • Leung, C., Sanders, M.R., Ip, F. & Lau, J. (2006). Implementation of Triple P – Positive Parenting Program in Hong Kong: Predictors of program completion and clinical outcomes. Journal of Children's Services, 1(2), 4-17.

  • Crisante, L. & Ng, S. (2003). Implementation and process issued in using Group Triple P with Chinese parents: Preliminary findings. Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health, 2(3), 226-235.

Japanese families

  • Matsumoto, Y., Sofronoff, K. & Sanders, M.R. (2007). The efficacy and acceptability of the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program with Japanese parents. Behavior Change, 24(4), 205-218.

Swiss families

  • Bodenmann, G., Cina, A., Ledermann, T. & Sanders, MR. (2008). The efficacy of the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program in improving parenting and child behavior: A comparison with two other treatment conditions. Behavior Research and Therapy, 46(4), 411-427.

Indigenous Australians

  • Turner, K.M.T, Richards, M., and Sanders, MR. (2007). Randomised clinical trial of a group parent education programme for Australian Indigenous families. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 43(6), 429-437.