Perceptions of Portuguese Psychologists about the Acceptability of a Parent Intervention Targeted at Inhibited Preschoolers. Issue 1 (2nd January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guedes, Maryse; Coelho, Leandra; Santos, António J.; Veríssimo, Manuela; Rubin, Kenneth H.; Danko, Christina; Chronis-Tuscano, Andrea
• Is Part Of: Evidence-based practice in child and adolescent mental health. Volume 4:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 17
• Publication Date: 2019-01-02
• Subjects: Child psychiatry -- Periodicals; Child mental health -- Periodicals; Teenagers -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Child psychology -- Periodicals; Adolescent psychology -- Periodicals; 618.9289
• DOI: 10.1080/23794925.2018.1555443
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2379-4925

Abstract

ABSTRACT: There has been an increasing interest in the development of evidence-based parent interventions aimed at reducing the early risk factors for the development of anxiety disorders, namely, behavioral inhibition, during the preschool years. However, these interventions are not yet available in European countries with a high prevalence of anxiety disorders, such as Portugal. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of Portuguese psychologists toward the acceptability of the parent component of the Turtle Program as a first step before its dissemination in Portugal. Eighteen psychologists were distributed into 3 focus groups. Each focus group was moderated by a trained psychologist, using a semistructured interview guide. The deductive thematic analysis revealed that Portuguese psychologists perceived the objectives and the intervention contents as highly acceptable, with the exception of time-out. Portuguese psychologists suggested that it would be useful to give more time (lengthen, add more sessions, and/or follow-up sessions) to families for the intervention and to introduce only minor changes in session procedures and materials. Portuguese psychologists anticipated that the preliminary preparation for coaching sessions, the greater focus on personal experiences, the flexibility in homework activities, and the introduction of interactive activities and materials can be useful when implementing the intervention with Portuguese families. These findings are in line with previous studies conducted with LatinX and Southern European practitioners, who typically agree with the acceptability of evidence-based parent intervention principles and report the need to introduce only minor changes.