The objective of the research described in this thesis was to study single and cumulative family risk in relation to early childhood externalizing problems and the effectiveness of a parenting... Show moreThe objective of the research described in this thesis was to study single and cumulative family risk in relation to early childhood externalizing problems and the effectiveness of a parenting intervention program. The Video-feedback Intervention to promote Positive Parenting and Sensitive Discipline (VIPP-SD) aimed at reducing externalizing problems in 1- to 3-year-old children by enhancing parental sensitivity and adequate discipline strategies. An evaluation of the process of this intervention was also conducted. The study consisted of a screening phase in a general population sample (N = 2408) and a randomized case-control intervention phase in a selected sub-sample of children with high levels of externalizing behaviors (n = 237). The results of this thesis showed that even at an early age, family risk predicted child externalizing behaviors. Cumulative risk longitudinally predicted externalizing behaviors, but was not related to the effectiveness of the intervention. Further, first-time parents (primiparas) profited differently from the intervention than parents with more than one child (multiparas). Finally, a positive alliance between mother and intervener predicted change in positive parenting strategies. Show less
