The Effectiveness of Solution-Focused Parental Skills on Behavioral Problems of Preschool Children

Aim and This study investigated the effectiveness of parental skills training using a solution-focused method to reduce the behavioral problems in preschool children in Isfahan city, Iran.
Methods and Materials: This was a quasi-experimental study with control group using pretest-posttest method. The statistical population consisted of all parents of the preschool children in Isfahan city in educational year of 2014-2015. To this end, 32 families (64 parents) were selected using a cluster sampling method and were randomly divided into two control and treatment groups. After pretest for both groups, treatment group received parental skills training using a solution-focused method for 6 sessions during one month by a PhD student in family counseling; however, the control group received no training. Then, posttest and follow-up were conducted for both groups. In order to assess the behavioral problems of the children, Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was used. Finally, the data were analyzed using the analysis of covariance test.
Findings: In treatment group, mean values were significantly reduced compared to that of the control group in terms of the behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, somatization, social problems, thought problems, attention problems, rule-breaking behaviors, aggressive behaviors, and other problems.
It can be concluded that solution-focused parenting skills training is an effective way to reduce children's behavioral problems.