Potential Benefits of Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

Measuring Change in Autonomic Reactivity using the Body Perceptions Inventory Short Form

Time frame · Through study completion, an average of 20 weeks

This 20-item measure is scored on a 5-point Likert scale (never = 1, occasionally = 2, sometimes = 3, usually = 4, always = 5). Items are summed to determine total autonomic reactivity score, with the higher scores indicating greater autonomic reactivity

Assessing the Impact of Adversity History

Time frame · Up to 1 week

This measure assesses the impact of six types of traumatic experiences (childhood adverse experiences, childhood maltreatment, intimate partner maltreatment, other person maltreatment, life-threatening situations, sudden losses, and person health situations). Each item is scored on a 5-point Likert scale (did not occur = 0, occurred and no impact on my life = 1 to big impact on my life = 4). Items are summed to determine total impact scores.

Measuring change in oxytocin Levels

Time frame · Up to 4 weeks

Oxytocin levels will be assessed using salivary samples. Increased salivary oxytocin indicates improvement.

Measuring change in parental stress using the parental stress scale

Time frame · Through study completion, an average of 20 weeks

This 18-item questionnaire assesses parents' feelings about their parenting role via a 5-point Likert scale (Strongly disagree = 1 to Strongly agree = 5). Lower scores indicate lower levels of parental stress.

Measuring change in parental attachment using the Child-Parent Relationship Scale

Time frame · Through study completion, an average of 20 weeks

This 30-item questionnaire assesses parents' views of their relationship with their child via a 5-point Likert scale (1 = definitely does not apply to 5 = definitively applies). The scores for the subscales (e.g., closeness, conflict, dependency) are calculated by summing the relevant items, with higher scores indicating more positive views of the relationship.

Measuring change in child behavior using the parent-report Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory

Time frame · Through study completion, an average of 20 weeks

This 36-item measure assesses the frequency and severity of disruptive behaviors, as well as the extent to which parents find the behaviors troublesome via a 7-point Likert scale (1 Never Occurs to 7 = Always Occurs) and a binary Problem scale. Total Intensity Scale scores range from 36 to 352, with clinical cut-off scores of 131-133.

Measuring change in anxiety using the General Anxiety Disorder-7

Time frame · Through study completion, an average of 20 weeks

This 7-item measure assesses anxiety via a 4-point Likert scale (0 = Not at all to 3 = Nearly every day) with higher scores reflecting more symptoms of anxiety.

Measuring change in depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire-8

Time frame · Through study completion, an average of 20 weeks

This 8-item measure assesses depression via a 4-point Likert scale (0 = Not at all to 3 = Nearly every day) with higher scores reflecting more symptoms of depression.