Author ORCID Identifier:
Date of Graduation
7-2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)
Degree Level
Graduate
Department
Psychological Science
Advisor/Mentor
Quetsch, Lauren
Committee Member
Judah, Matt
Second Committee Member
Kilmer, Michele
Keywords
community-based providers; neurodevelopmental conditions; Parent-Child Interaction Therapy; toddlers
Abstract
The early caregiving environment serves as the context in which young children develop emotional regulation abilities. While supportive, responsive caregiving is crucial for helping children regulate their own emotions in times of stress, disruptions to the parent-child relationship may set the stage for poor emotion regulation throughout childhood. Emotional and behavioral problems, particularly in children with neurodevelopmental conditions, may stem from early difficulties with emotion regulation. If left untreated, emotion dysregulation in children can mark a trajectory towards continued social-emotional concerns and family disruption; as such, the toddler years represent an ideal time for intervention. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy for Toddlers (PCIT-T) is a novel, parent-mediated treatment for young children presenting with emotion dysregulation. Recent research supports its effectiveness, but further studies are needed to evaluate its utility with children with neurodevelopmental conditions within the broader context of community-based clinics in the United States. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of PCIT-T delivered by clinicians across the US by assessing changes in caregiver and child behaviors throughout treatment with a special focus on treatment outcomes for youth with neurodevelopmental conditions. Findings highlighted significant gains in parenting skills and improvements in child social-emotional functioning from pre- to post-treatment. Caregiver acquisition of “do” skills was also predictive of child improvements in social-emotional functioning. Further, caregiver and child treatment-related improvements did not differ by diagnostic group. Findings enhance our understanding of PCIT-T’s effectiveness in a diverse American sample and inform this novel intervention.
Citation
Bradley, R. S. (2026). Effectiveness of PCIT with Toddlers in a Community-Based Sample: Special Considerations for Youth with Neurodevelopmental Conditions. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/6378
