A meta-analysis of behavioral parent training for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

► Behavioral parent training is an effective intervention for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, with an overall moderate effect size at post-treatment and a small effect size at follow-up. ► Sustainability of the effects over time is an important issue that awaits further scrutiny. ► The effect of behavioral parent training decreases in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder comorbid with other behavioral problems. This meta-analysis examined the effect of behavioral parent training on child and parental outcomes for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Meta-analytic procedures were used to estimate the effect of behavioral parent training on children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Variables moderating the intervention effect were examined. Forty studies were included and generated an overall moderate effect size at post-treatment and a small effect size at follow-up. The majority of outcome categories were associated with a moderate effect size at post-treatment that decreased to a small effect size at follow-up. Parenting competence was the only outcome that had a large effect, which decreased to moderate at follow-up. The strength of the effect differed between questionnaire and observation measures. Behavioral parent training is an effective intervention for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Sustainability of the effects over time is a problem that awaits further scrutiny. Recommendations for further research and clinical practices are provided.