Three-year-old outcomes of a brief universal parenting intervention to prevent behaviour problems: Randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether a structured programme of parent anticipatory guidance 'Toddlers Without Tears,' delivered in universal primary care, can prevent preschool child behaviour problems. Design: Cluster randomised controlled trial. Setting/participants: 40 primary care nursing centres (clusters) in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. 733 English-speaking mothers of 6- to 7-month-old infants consecutively recruited from well-child appointments; 589 (80%) retained at age 3 years. Intervention: Parenting programme from age 8 to 15 months, with two group sessions co-led by well-child providers and a parenting expert. The programme addressed normal behaviour development and offered stra..