Topic: Behavioral Problems, Early Intervention, Parenting
Target Population: Parents
Sector: Community-Based
This program is for parents of children who are 3 to 8 years old and are demonstrating noncompliance or other conduct problems and their children.
Helping the Noncompliant Child (HNC), a community-based, skills-training program, is designed to prevent future conduct problems in children by improving parenting skills and parent-child interactions.
A number of studies have evaluated earlier versions of HNC (i.e., prior to the most recent version released in 2003) and versions that have been adapted for use in different settings or by different implementation methods. However, posttest results from one recent randomized trial, in which participants were assigned to the New Forest Parenting Package (NFPP), HNC, or a waitlist control group, indicated improvements in both treatment groups in children's parent-reported attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional and defiant behaviors and improvements in aspects of parenting compared to controls. Most of these gains in children's behavior and in some parenting practices were sustained at follow‐up, which was conducted during the following school year. However, total ADHD and hyperactivity/impulsivity ratings worsened significantly in both treatment groups at follow-up, and some aspects of observed parenting behaviors worsened significantly over time.
HNC intends to address conduct issues in young children and, thereby, prevent concerns when the children are older by helping parents learn and practice positive parenting skills. The program begins with an assessment of the parent-child relationship, and specific problem areas are identified. Sessions are then conducted with individual families in a controlled environment. An ideal setting is a playroom with a one-way mirror and a one-way communication device, such as radio earbuds, so the therapist can observe and guide parents while they interact with their children. However, this type of equipment and specific setting are not required for productive implementation. There are two phases of HNC for parents:
Parents are first encouraged to use Phase I and II skills at home and then to use the skills in public situations, such as shopping or while visiting others. Booster sessions are also available.
HNC was first developed in 1981 and has been used extensively across the United States and has been pilot tested in China.
This program is generally implemented by mental health practitioners, and using the treatment manual is necessary to understand and implement the program. Please visit the website in the Cost section for ordering and cost information for the manual. No additional formal training is required for practitioners already working with noncompliant children and their families (e.g., clinical child psychologists, child psychiatrists, school psychologists and counselors, clinical social workers, and professionals in related fields).
Considerations for implementing HNC include acquiring buy-in from participants, finding mental health practitioners to implement the program, and obtaining suitable space to conduct sessions.
The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
If you are interested in implementing HNC, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
Sessions are typically conducted once or twice a week for an average of 8 to 10 weeks, and each session lasts 60 to 90 minutes. Number of sessions range from 5 to 14, or more, if needed.
The treatment manual is necessary for program implementation. The second edition of the treatment manual costs $66.75 for hardcover or $29.25 for paperback or e-book, and it may be ordered online https://www.guilford.com/books/Helping-the-Noncompliant-Child/McMahon-Forehand/9781593852412
To move the HNC program to the Promising category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, at least one evaluation should be performed demonstrating positive effects on primary outcomes lasting at least six months from program completion.
The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu
You may also contact the program developer, Dr. Robert J. McMahon by phone 1-778-782-9031, fax 1-778-782-3427, email robert_mcmahon@sfu.ca, or visit https://www.cebc4cw.org/program/helping-the-noncompliant-child/detailed.
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