Guided Self-Help for Parents of Children With Externalizing Problem Behavior

In intervention period of 5 months parents work through 8 cognitive-behavioral self-help booklets (FLOH) and additionally receive 10 counseling telephone calls. Primary purpose of telephone calls is to clarify content of the booklets and support parents in managing their homework assignments accompanied with each booklet. 3 and 6 months after intervention period has ended, two additional booster telephone calls are provided. The booklets are based on the therapy manual Treatment program for children with hyperactive and oppositional problem behavior (THOP) (Döpfner, Schürmann, & Frölich, 2007) and the parent self-help book Wackelpeter and Trotzkopf: Help for parents of children with hyperkinetic and oppositional behavior (Döpfner, Schürmann, & Lehmkuhl, 2006).

In intervention period of 5 months parents are provided 8 non-directive self-help booklets and additionally receive 10 non-directive counseling telephone calls. If the telephone calls are used to clarify content of the booklets or to discuss other child and parenting related topics is at the parents' discretion. Main focus for counselor is to be congruent, empathic and to have unconditional positive regard toward the parents. 3 and 6 months after intervention period has ended, two additional booster telephone calls are provided. The booklets are based on Parent effectiveness training (Gordon, 1970) and Teaching children self-discipline at home and at school (Gordon, 1989).