Skip to main content
Log in

A Literature Review of Digital Behavioral Parent Training Programs for Parents of Adolescents

  • Published:
Prevention Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Parents of adolescents are faced with a variety of challenges related to their children’s behavior and development. Behavioral parent training (BPT) programs may be effective strategies to mitigate adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and other common behavioral problems in the adolescent period. Adolescence is the period following the onset of puberty and describes the transition from childhood to adulthood. Digital BPTs, including those delivered via the internet, downloaded digital content, text message, tablet, and video call, may present a unique opportunity to reach a broad audience of parents of adolescents by removing barriers to program accessibility (e.g., cost and transportation). We conducted a literature review to synthesize the existing evidence on digital BPTs for parents of adolescents. We described the digital BPTs, study designs, and evaluation and feasibility outcomes. A structured literature search identified studies meeting the following criteria for inclusion: (a) published between January 2000 and October 2022, (b) peer-reviewed, (c) available in English language, (d) study included a description of a digital BPT methodological approach, (e) study had to identify at least one parent or child behavioral outcome (e.g., parent-reported communication with their child) or feasibility outcome associated with the digital BPT, and (f) study included parents of adolescents aged 10–18 years. We extracted data on the characteristics of the study and demographic characteristics of participants, digital BPT, and evaluation and feasibility outcomes. Twenty-eight studies met inclusion criteria. Twenty-two unique digital BPTs were evaluated across the published studies. Thirteen digital BPTs (59.1%) were developed from or grounded by an identified theory. Six digital BPTs were freely accessible by the public, while the remaining 16 were available through study participation or purchase. One digital BPT was specifically tailored to parents of adolescents of a racial/ethnic minority group. Of the 16 studies that reported either parent or adolescent race/ethnicity, 10 consisted of more than 50% White parent or adolescent participants. Twenty-four (88.9%) studies provided evaluation data for the digital BPT. Fourteen studies (63.6%) employed a randomized control trial study design, and the remaining study designs included quasi-experimental (n = 2), mixed methods (n = 1), open trial (n = 3), case study (n = 1), pretest–posttest design (n = 1), and feasibility and acceptability trial (n = 2). All studies reported improvements in at least one parent-reported or adolescent-reported behavioral outcome or feasibility outcomes, with effect sizes (Cohen’s d) ranging from small (e.g., 0.20–0.49) to very large (e.g., > 1.20). The findings of this review illustrate that technology may be a valuable way to deliver BPTs to parents of adolescents. However, few digital BPTs were developed for parents of adolescents from racial/ethnic minority groups, and many digital BPTs were not available without cost or participation in a research study. Considerations for future research are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Data Availability

All data extracted for this review are available in the published literature cited in this article.

References

  • Aventin, A., Gough, A., McShane, T., Gillespie, K., O’Hare, L., Young, H., Lewis, R., Warren, E., Buckley, K., & Lohan, M. (2020). Engaging parents in digital sexual and reproductive health education: Evidence from the JACK trial. Reproductive Health, 17(1), 132. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-020-00975-y

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Baumel, A., Pawar, A., Mathur, N., Kane, J. M., & Correll, C. U. (2017). Technology-assisted parent training programs for children and adolescents with disruptive behaviors. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 78(8). https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.16r11063

  • Bjureberg, J., Sahlin, H., Hedman-Lagerlöf, E., Gratz, K. L., Tull, M. T., Jokinen, J., Hellner, C., & Ljótsson, B. (2018). Extending research on Emotion Regulation Individual Therapy for Adolescents (ERITA) with nonsuicidal self-injury disorder: Open pilot trial and mediation analysis of a novel online version. BMC Psychiatry, 18(1), 326. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-018-1885-6

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Bruning Brown, J., Winzelberg, A. J., Abascal, L. B., & Taylor, C. B. (2004). An evaluation of an internet-delivered eating disorder prevention program for adolescents and their parents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 35(4), 290–296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2003.10.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cefai, J., Smith, D., & Pushak, R. E. (2010). Parenting wisely: Parent training via CD-ROM with an Australian sample. Child & Family Behavior Therapy, 32(1), 17–33. https://doi.org/10.1080/07317100903539709

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Preventing adverse childhood experiences: Leveraging the best available evidence. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Youth risk behavior survey data summary and trends report 2009–2019. Atlanta, GA: National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

  • Chacko, A., Jensen, S. A., Lowry, L. S., Cornwell, M., Chimklis, A., Chan, E., Lee, D., & Pulgarin, B. (2016). Engagement in behavioral parent training: Review of the literature and implications for practice. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 19(3), 204–215. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10567-016-0205-2

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Choi, H., Kim, S., Ko, H., Kim, Y., & Park, C. (2016). Development and preliminary evaluation of culturally specific web-based intervention for parents of adolescents. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 23(8), 489–501. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpm.12327

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chokprajakchad, M., Phuphaibul, R., Sieving, R. E., & Phumonsakul, S. (2020). Effectiveness of parent participation in a technology-based adolescent sexuality education program: A randomized control trial. Pacific Rim International Journal of Nursing Research, 24(2), 219‐233. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/central/doi/10.1002/central/CN-02127656/full

  • Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences (2nd ed.). Hillside, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corralejo, S. M., & Domenech Rodríguez, M. M. (2018). Technology in parenting programs: A systematic review of existing interventions. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 27(9), 2717–2731. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-018-1117-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cotter, K. L., Bacallao, M., Smokowski, P. R., & Robertson, C. I. B. (2013). Parenting interventions implementation science. Research on Social Work Practice, 23(6), 639–650. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049731513490811

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Danko, C. M., Garbacz, L. L., & Budd, K. S. (2016). Outcomes of parent–child interaction therapy in an urban community clinic: A comparison of treatment completers and dropouts. Children and Youth Services Review, 60, 42–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.11.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dretzke, J., Davenport, C., Frew, E., Barlow, J., Stewart-Brown, S., Bayliss, S., Taylor, R. S., Sandercock, J., & Hyde, C. (2009). The clinical effectiveness of different parenting programmes for children with conduct problems: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, 3(1), 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/1753-2000-3-7

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Florean, I. S., Dobrean, A., Păsărelu, C. R., Georgescu, R. D., & Milea, I. (2020). The efficacy of internet-based parenting programs for children and adolescents with behavior problems: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 23(4), 510–528. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10567-020-00326-0

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Forehand, R., Lafko, N., Parent, J., & Burt, K. B. (2014). Is parenting the mediator of change in behavioral parent training for externalizing problems of youth? Clinical Psychology Review, 34(8), 608–619. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2014.10.001

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Fortson, B. L., Klevens, J., Merrick, M. T., Gilbert, L. K., & Alexander, S. P. (2016). Preventing child abuse and neglect: A technical package for policy, norm, and programmatic activities. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

  • Garfan, S., Alamoodi, A. H., Zaidan, B. B., Al-Zobbi, M., Hamid, R. A., Alwan, J. K., Ahmaro, I. Y. Y., Khalid, E. T., Jumaah, F. M., Albahri, O. S., Zaidan, A. A., Albahri, A. S., Al-Qaysi, Z. T., Ahmed, M. A., Shuwandy, M. L., Salih, M. M., Zughoul, O., Mohammed, K. I., & Momani, F. (2021). Telehealth utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review. Computers in Biology and Medicine, 138, 104878. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compbiomed.2021.104878

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Gelatt, V. A., Adler-Baeder, F., & Seeley, J. R. (2010). An interactive web-based program for stepfamilies: Development and evaluation of efficacy. Family Relations, 59(5), 572–586. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3729.2010.00624.x

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Grant, M. J., & Booth, A. (2009). A typology of reviews: An analysis of 14 review types and associated methodologies. Health Information & Libraries Journal, 26(2), 91–108. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-1842.2009.00848.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, R. M., Dodd, C. G., Gomez, M., Do, C., & Kaplow, J. B. (2020). The Safety Planning Assistant: Feasibility and acceptability of a web-based suicide safety planning tool for at-risk adolescents and their parents. Evidence-Based Practice in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 5(2), 164–172. https://doi.org/10.1080/23794925.2020.1759469

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Irvine, A. B., Gelatt, V. A., Hammond, M., & Seeley, J. R. (2015). A randomized study of internet parent training accessed from Community Technology Centers. Prevention Science, 16(4), 597–608. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-014-0521-z

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kaminski, J. W., Valle, L. A., Filene, J. H., & Boyle, C. L. (2008). A meta-analytic review of components associated with parent training program effectiveness. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 36(4), 567–589. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-007-9201-9

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Khor, S. P. H., Fulgoni, C. M., Lewis, D., Melvin, G. A., Jorm, A. F., Lawrence, K., Bei, B., & Yap, M. B. H. (2021). Short-term outcomes of the therapist-assisted online parenting strategies intervention for parents of adolescents treated for anxiety and/or depression: A single-arm double-baseline trial. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 48674211025695. https://doi.org/10.1177/00048674211025695

  • Leijten, P., Gardner, F., Melendez-Torres, G. J., van Aar, J., Hutchings, J., Schulz, S., Knerr, W., & Overbeek, G. (2019). Meta-analyses: Key parenting program components for disruptive child behavior. Journal of the American Academy Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 58(2), 180–190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2018.07.900

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lonigan, C. J., Elbert, J. C., & Johnson, S. B. (1998). Empirically supported psychosocial interventions for children: An overview. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 27(2), 138–145. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15374424jccp2702_1

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lundahl, B. W., Nimer, J., & Parsons, B. (2006). Preventing child abuse: A meta-analysis of parent training programs. Research on Social Work Practice, 16(3), 251–262. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049731505284391

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lustria, M. L. A., Noar, S. M., Cortese, J., Van Stee, S. K., Glueckauf, R. L., & Lee, J. (2013). A meta-analysis of web-delivered tailored health behavior change interventions. Journal of Health Communication, 18(9), 1039–1069. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2013.768727

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Matsuno, E., & Israel, T. (2021). The parent support program: Development and acceptability of an online intervention aimed at increasing supportive behaviors among parents of Trans youth. Journal of GLBT Family Studies, 17(5), 413–431. https://doi.org/10.1080/1550428X.2020.1868369

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mello, M. J., Bromberg, J. R., Baird, J., Wills, H., Gaines, B. A., Lapidus, G., Ranney, M. L., Parnagian, C., & Spirito, A. (2019). Feasibility and acceptability of an electronic parenting skills intervention for parents of alcohol-using adolescent trauma patients. Telemedicine and E-Health, 25(9), 833–839. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2018.0201

  • Metzler, C. W., Sanders, M. R., Rusby, J. C., & Crowley, R. N. (2012). Using consumer preference information to increase the reach and impact of media-based parenting interventions in a public health approach to parenting support. Behavior Therapy, 43(2), 257–270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2011.05.004

  • Michael, B., Man, A., & Fisak, B. (n.d.). Attrition in behavioral parent training programs in clinical and community settings: A meta-analytic review (dissertation).

  • Nock, M. K., & Ferriter, C. (2005). Parent management of attendance and adherence in child and adolescent therapy: A conceptual and empirical eview. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 8(2), 149–166. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10567-005-4753-0

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Newton, N. C., Chapman, C., Slade, T., Conroy, C., Thornton, L., Champion, K. E., Stapinski, L., Koning, I., & Teesson, M. (2018). Internet-based universal prevention for students and parents to prevent alcohol and cannabis use among adolescents: Protocol for the randomized controlled trial of climate schools plus. JMIR Research Protocols, 7(8), e10849. https://doi.org/10.2196/10849

  • Perrin, A. (2015b, June 26). Americans’ internet access: 2000–2015. Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech. http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/06/26/americans-internet-access-2000-2015/

  • Poole, M. K., Seal, D. W., & Taylor, C. A. (2014). A systematic review of universal campaigns targeting child physical abuse prevention. Health Education Research, 29(3), 388–432. https://doi.org/10.1093/her/cyu012

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Rizzo, C. J., Houck, C., Barker, D., Collibee, C., Hood, E., & Bala, K. (2021). Project STRONG: An online, parent–son intervention for the prevention of dating violence among early adolescent boys. Prevention Science, 22(2), 193–204. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-020-01168-6

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sawyer, S. M., Azzopardi, P. S., Wickremarathne, D., & Patton, G. C. (2018). The age of adolescence. The Lancet. Child & Adolescent Health, 2(3), 223–228.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schaefer, C. E., & Breiesmeister, J. M. (1989). Handbook of parent training: Parents as co-therapists for children’s behavior problems. Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schinke, S. P., Fang, L., & Cole, K. (2009a). Computer-delivered, parent-involvement intervention to prevent substance use among adolescent girls. Preventive Medicine, 49(5), 429–435. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2009.08.001

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Schinke, S. P., Fang, L., & Cole, K. C. (2009b). Preventing substance use among adolescent girls: 1-year outcomes of a computerized, mother–daughter program. Addictive Behaviors, 34(12), 1060–1064. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2009.06.007

  • Scull, T. M., Malik, C., & Keefe, E. (2020). Determining the feasibility of an online, media mediation program for parents to improve parent-child sexual health communication. Journal of Media Literacy Education, 12(1), 13–25. https://doi.org/10.23860/JMLE-2020-12-1-2

  • Scull, T. M., Malik, C., Keefe, E., & Schoemann, A. (2019). Evaluating the short-term impact of Media Aware Parent, a web-based program for parents with the goal of adolescent sexual health promotion. Journal of Youth & Adolescence, 48(9), 1686–1706. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-019-01077-0

  • Segal, D., Chen, P. Y., Gordon, D. A., Kacir, C. D., & Gylys, J. (2003). Development and evaluation of a parenting intervention program: Integration of scientific and practical approaches. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, 15(3), 453–467. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327590IJHC1503_09

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smokowski, P., Corona, R., Bacallao, M., Fortson, B. L., Marshall, K. J., & Yaros, A. (2018). Addressing barriers to recruitment and retention in the implementation of parenting programs: Lessons learned for effective program delivery in rural and urban areas. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 27(9), 2925–2942. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-018-1139-8

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Sorkhabi, N., & Mandara, J. (2013). Are the effects of Baumrind's parenting styles culturally specific or culturally equivalent? In Authoritative parenting: Synthesizing nurturance and discipline for optimal child development (pp. 113–135). AmericanPsychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/13948-006

  • Stormshak, E. A., Seeley, J. R., Caruthers, A. S., Cardenas, L., Moore, K. J., Tyler, M. S., Fleming, C. M., Gau, J., & Danaher, B. (2019). Evaluating the efficacy of the Family Check-Up Online: A school-based, eHealth model for the prevention of problem behavior during the middle school years. Development and Psychopathology, 31(5), 1873–1886. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0954579419000907

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Taherdoost, H. (2018). A review of technology acceptance and adoption models and theories. Procedia Manufacturing, 22, 960–967. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2018.03.137

  • Taylor, L. C., Leary, K. A., Boyle, A. E., Bigelow, K. E., Henry, T., & DeRosier, M. (2015). Parent training and adolescent social functioning: A brief report. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 24(10), 3030–3037. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-014-0106-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • The Community Guide. (2023, June 7). Methods manual - part 1: effectiveness review methods. https://www.thecommunityguide.org/pages/effectiveness-review-methods.html#:~:text=These%20criteria%20determine%20the%20intended%20scope%20of%20the,be%20conducted%20in%20a%20World%20Bankdesignated%20high-income%20country

  • Thornton, L. K., Chapman, C., Leidl, D., Conroy, C., Teesson, M., Slade, T., Koning, I., Champion, K., Stapinski, L., & Newton, N. (2018). Climate schools plus: An online, combined student and parent, universal drug prevention program. Internet Interventions, 12, 36–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.invent.2018.03.007

  • Wade, T., Byrne, S., Fursland, A., Steele, A., Wilksch, S., Anderson, J., Zhou, Y., Datta, N., Matheson, B., & Lock, J. (2022). Is guided self-help family-based treatment for parents of adolescents with anorexia nervosa on treatment waitlists feasible? A pilot trial. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 55(6), 832–837. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23720

  • Wetterborg, D., Enebrink, P., Lonn Rhodin, K., Forster, M., Risto, E., Dahlstrom, J., Forsberg, K., & Ghaderi, A. (2019). A pilot randomized controlled trial of Internet-delivered parent training for parents of teenagers. Journal of Family Psychology, 33(7), 764–774. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000541

  • Whitaker, D. J., Lutzker, J. R., & Shelley, G. A. (2005). Child maltreatment prevention priorities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Child Maltreatment, 10(3), 245–259. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077559505274674

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, D. K., Alia, K. A., Kitzman-Ulrich, H., & Resnicow, K. (2014). A pilot study of the effects of a tailored web-based intervention on promoting fruit and vegetable intake in African American families. Childhood Obesity, 10(1), 77–84. https://doi.org/10.1089/chi.2013.0070

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization. (n.d.). Adolescent health. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/health-topics/adolescent-health#tab=tab_1

  • Yap, M. B., Jorm, A., Bazley, R., Kelly, C., Ryan, S., & Lubman, D. (2011). Web-based parenting program to prevent adolescent alcohol misuse: Rationale and development. Australian Psychiatry, 19(4), 339–344. https://doi.org/10.3109/10398562.2011.603334

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yap, M. B., Lawrence, K. A., Rapee, R. M., Cardamone-Breen, M. C., Green, J., & Jorm, A. F. (2017). Partners in Parenting: A multi-level web-based approach to support parents in prevention and early intervention for adolescent depression and anxiety. JMIR Mental Health, 4(4), e59. https://doi.org/10.2196/mental.8492

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Yap, M. B. H., Mahtani, S., Rapee, R. M., Nicolas, C., Lawrence, K. A., Mackinnon, A., & Jorm, A. F. (2018). A tailored web-based Intervention to improve parenting risk and protective factors for adolescent depression and anxiety problems: Postintervention findings from a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 20(1), e17. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.9139

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Yap, M. B. H., Cardamone-Breen, M. C., Rapee, R. M., Lawrence, K. A., Mackinnon, A. J., Mahtani, S., & Jorm, A. F. (2019). Medium-term effects of a tailored web-based parenting intervention to reduce adolescent risk of depression and anxiety: 12-month findings from a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 21(8), e13628. https://doi.org/10.2196/13628

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mary Harbert C. Morgan.

Ethics declarations

Ethics Approval

To the authors’ knowledge, all studies detailed in this literature review are in accordance with ethical standards as laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki.

Consent to Participate

Not applicable.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

CDC Disclaimer

The findings and conclusions in this manuscript are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (DOCX 29 KB)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Morgan, M.H.C., Huber-Krum, S., Willis, L.A. et al. A Literature Review of Digital Behavioral Parent Training Programs for Parents of Adolescents. Prev Sci 25, 155–174 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-023-01596-0

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-023-01596-0

Keywords

Navigation