Strategy

Prevention Program for Externalizing Problem Behavior (PEP)

What is it?

The Prevention Program for Externalizing Problem Behavior (PEP) is a preventative group-based intervention for parents and kindergarten teachers of young children with externalizing problem behaviors. PEP aims to reduce problem behaviors and present delinquency by improving parenting skills and parent-child relationships. The program targets families of children with early onset of externalizing problem behaviors. PEP is administered by a PEP-trained child psychologist that administers weekly sessions to parents and teachers. The sessions discuss basic strategies for handling child problem behaviors including stress-reduction and positive reinforcement techniques. 

What is the evidence base?

Parents that participate in PEP demonstrate more parental warmth and utilize enhanced parenting strategies. Children demonstrate fewer disruptive behaviors. 

• Hanisch et al_2010_Detecting Effects of the Indicated Prevention Programme for Externalizing Problem Behaviour (PEP)
• Eichelberger et al_2016_Effectiveness of the Prevention Program for Externalizing Problem Behavior (PEP) in Preschoolers with Severe and No or Mild ADHD Symptoms