The Incredible Years (IY) Parent Programs: Four Decades of Evidence-Based Parenting Support, Research, and Delivery

Piscitello, J. & Webster-Stratton, C. (2025, in press) The Incredible Years Parent Program: Four Decades of Evidence-Based Parenting Support. Research and Delivery. In T. Del Vecchio, and M.D. Terjesen, Eds., Handbook of Behavioral Parent Training. American Psychological Association: APA Press.

Abstract

In this chapter, we review the Incredible Years^® (IY) parent programs (Webster-Stratton, 2011, 2015, 2021), as part of the larger comprehensive IY Series for parents, teachers and children. The IY parent programs are a set of well-established evidence-based parent-focused interventions designed to promote children’s social and emotional competence and academic readiness and to reduce conduct problems in young children. With over four decades of research support, the IY parent programs have undergone considerable empirical evaluation, content updates (e.g., updated video vignettes, adaptations for specific populations), and have been identified as a gold-standard intervention for the prevention of future behavior problems in young children. The IY parent programs focus on increasing the use of positive parenting strategies, decreasing harsh discipline, and improving parent, child, and family well-being. The following chapter encompasses an overview of the IY parent programs, including its scientific foundation and theory of change, target populations, and relevant considerations when working with specific subpopulations. In addition, it focuses on session content and dosage, training, research, and considerations for future research directions. This chapter provides a thorough integration of the extensive evidence base supporting the efficacy of the IY Parent Programs with a diverse range of participants from various socioeconomic, racial, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds. 

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