Incredible Years® – Parents and Babies Program
The Incredible Years – Parents and Babies Program (“IY-Babies”) is a group-based program that serves parents and their infants (0 to 12 months). The program typically targets parents who need support forming secure attachments with their infant. IY-Babies aims to foster parents’ abilities to provide a safe environment for their infants and help them form secure attachments, learn language and social expression, and begin to develop a sense of self.
IY-Babies focuses on six developmentally appropriate topics during the sessions: (1) getting to know your baby, (2) learning how babies learn, (3) providing physical, tactile, and visual stimulation, (4) reading and responding to babies’ non-verbal cues, (5) gaining support from others, and (6) understanding babies’ development of self.
During each group session, parents watch 4 to 6 situational video vignettes. They engage in discussions facilitated by the group leaders and problem solve about best parenting practices. Parents are also encouraged to complete activities at home to apply the skills they learned with the group.
IY-Babies does not currently meet criteria to receive a rating because no studies of the program that achieved a rating of moderate or high on design and execution demonstrated a favorable effect on a target outcome.
Date Last Reviewed (Handbook Version 1.0): Aug 2020
Sources
The program or service description, target population, and program or service delivery and implementation information was informed by the following sources: the program or service developer’s website, the program or service manual, and the studies reviewed.
This information does not necessarily represent the views of the program or service developers. For more information on how this program or service was reviewed, download the Handbook of Standards and Procedures, Version 1.0
Target Population
IY-Babies serves parents and their infants (0 to 12 months). The program typically targets parents who need support forming secure attachments with their infant.
Dosage
Parents typically receive 9 to 12 weekly group sessions of IY-Babies. Each group session lasts about 2 hours.
Location/Delivery Setting
Recommended Locations/Delivery Settings
The IY-Babies program is typically delivered in a community setting.
Education, Certifications and Training
Incredible Years® offers a 2-day in-person training for IY-Babies group leaders. The training is highly recommended for all group leaders and is required for group leaders who plan to become certified. It is recommended that at least one of the 2 leaders working with a group has a master’s degree or comparable education/background. Group leaders who have attended IY-Babies training can become certified by demonstrating positive participant evaluations, positive trainer/mentor evaluations of videotape review, positive peer review, and satisfactory completion of session protocols. Group leaders come from a variety of backgrounds, including social work, psychology, nursing, medicine or education. Additionally, they should have taken at least one course in child development or social learning theory.
Program or Service Documentation
Book/Manual/Available documentation used for review
IY-Babies uses the Incredible Years Parents, Teachers and Children’s Training Series group leader manual. It is implemented in conjunction with the Curriculum Set below that is specific to the IY-Babies program.
Webster-Stratton, C. (2011). Incredible Years parents, teachers and children’s training series: Program content, methods, research, and dissemination, 1980 – 2011. Incredible Years, Inc.
Incredible Years, Inc. (2019). Parents and babies curriculum set.
Available languages
Materials for IY-Babies are available in English, Danish, and Spanish.
Other supporting materials
For More Information
Website: http://www.incredibleyears.com/
Phone: (206) 285-7565
Email: incredibleyears@incredibleyears.com
Note: The details on Dosage; Location; Education, Certifications, and Training; Other Supporting Materials; and For More Information sections above are provided to website users for informational purposes only. This information is not exhaustive and may be subject to change.
| Results of Search and Review | Number of Studies Identified and Reviewed for Incredible Years® – Parents and Babies Program |
|---|---|
| Identified in Search | 25 |
| Eligible for Review | 2 |
| Rated High | 1 |
| Rated Moderate | 1 |
| Rated Low | 0 |
| Reviewed Only for Risk of Harm | 0 |
| Outcome | Effect Size
 and Implied Percentile Effect
|
N of Studies (Findings) | N of Participants | Summary of Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child well-being: Behavioral and emotional functioning |
-0.01
0 |
1 (2) | 106 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 2 Unfavorable: 0 |
| Child well-being: Cognitive functions and abilities |
0.21
8 |
1 (1) | 63 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 1 Unfavorable: 0 |
| Child well-being: Physical development and health |
-0.01
0 |
1 (3) | 106 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 3 Unfavorable: 0 |
| Adult well-being: Positive parenting practices |
-0.18
-7 |
1 (2) | 63 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 2 Unfavorable: 0 |
| Adult well-being: Parent/caregiver mental or emotional health |
-0.06
-2 |
1 (1) | 104 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 1 Unfavorable: 0 |
| Adult well-being: Parent/caregiver physical health |
0.18
7 |
1 (1) | 104 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 1 Unfavorable: 0 |
Note: For the effect sizes and implied percentile effects reported in the table, a positive number favors the intervention group and a negative number favors the comparison group.
| Outcome | Effect Size
and Implied Percentile Effect
|
N of Studies (Findings) | N of Participants | Summary of Findings |
Months after treatment when outcome measured
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child well-being: Behavioral and emotional functioning |
-0.01
0 |
1 (2) | 106 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 2 Unfavorable: 0 |
- |
| Study 10699 - IYPB vs. Usual Care (Pontoppidan, 2016) | |||||
| Child Temperament |
-0.10
-3 |
- | 106 | - | 1 |
| Ages and Stages Questionnaire: Social Emotional |
0.08
3 |
- | 106 | - | 1 |
| Child well-being: Cognitive functions and abilities |
0.21
8 |
1 (1) | 63 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 1 Unfavorable: 0 |
- |
| Study 10676 - IYPB vs. Waitlist Control (Jones, 2016) | |||||
| Griffiths Mental Development 0-2 Year Scales: General Quotient |
0.21
8 |
- | 63 | - | 4 |
| Child well-being: Physical development and health |
-0.01
0 |
1 (3) | 106 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 3 Unfavorable: 0 |
- |
| Study 10699 - IYPB vs. Usual Care (Pontoppidan, 2016) | |||||
| Child Overall Health |
-0.03
-1 |
- | 106 | - | 1 |
| Child Height |
0.00
0 |
- | 106 | - | 1 |
| Child Weight |
0.00
0 |
- | 106 | - | 1 |
| Adult well-being: Positive parenting practices |
-0.18
-7 |
1 (2) | 63 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 2 Unfavorable: 0 |
- |
| Study 10676 - IYPB vs. Waitlist Control (Jones, 2016) | |||||
| Parent Infant Play Observation Code: Physical Encouragement |
-0.25
-9 |
- | 63 | - | 4 |
| Parent Infant Play Observation Code: Verbal Engagement |
-0.12
-4 |
- | 63 | - | 4 |
| Adult well-being: Parent/caregiver mental or emotional health |
-0.06
-2 |
1 (1) | 104 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 1 Unfavorable: 0 |
- |
| Study 10699 - IYPB vs. Usual Care (Pontoppidan, 2016) | |||||
| Parent Loneliness |
-0.06
-2 |
- | 104 | - | 1 |
| Adult well-being: Parent/caregiver physical health |
0.18
7 |
1 (1) | 104 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 1 Unfavorable: 0 |
- |
| Study 10699 - IYPB vs. Usual Care (Pontoppidan, 2016) | |||||
| Parent Overall Health |
0.18
7 |
- | 104 | - | 1 |
*p <.05
Note: For the effect sizes and implied percentile effects reported in the table, a positive number favors the intervention group and a negative number favors the comparison group. Effect sizes and implied percentile effects were calculated by the Prevention Services Clearinghouse as described in the Handbook of Standards and Procedures, Version 1.0, Section 5.10.4 and may not align with effect sizes reported in individual publications. The Prevention Services Clearinghouse uses information reported in study documents and, when necessary, information provided by authors in response to author queries to assign study ratings and calculate effect sizes and statistical significance (see Section 7.3.2 in the Handbook of Standards and Procedures, Version 1.0). As a result, the effect sizes and statistical significance reported in the table may not align with the estimates as they are reported in study documents.
Only publications with eligible contrasts that met design and execution standards are included in the individual study findings table.
Full citations for the studies shown in the table are available in the "Studies Reviewed" section.
The participant characteristics display is an initial version. We encourage those interested in providing feedback to send suggestions to preventionservices@abtglobal.com.
The table below displays locations, the year, and participant demographics for studies that received moderate or high ratings on design and execution and that reported the information. Participant characteristics for studies with more than one intervention versus comparison group pair that received moderate or high ratings are shown separately in the table. Please note, the information presented here uses terminology directly from the study documents, when available. Studies that received moderate or high ratings on design and execution that did not include relevant participant demographic information would not be represented in this table.
For more information on how Clearinghouse reviewers record the information in the table, please see our Resource Guide on Study Participant Characteristics and Settings.
| Characteristics of the Participants in the Studies with Moderate or High Ratings | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Study Location
|
Study Year
|
Age or Grade-level
|
Race, Ethnicity, Nationality
|
Gender
|
Populations of Interest*
|
Household Socioeconomic Status
|
| Study 10699 - IYPB vs. Usual Care | ||||||
| Characteristics of the Children and Youth | ||||||
| Ikast-Brande or Herning Local Authority Area, Denmark | 2013 | Average age: 2 months | -- |
54% Boy 45% Girl |
-- | -- |
| Characteristics of the Adults, Parents, or Caregivers | ||||||
| Ikast-Brande or Herning Local Authority Area, Denmark | 2013 | Average age: 29 years | -- | -- | 9% Mother living alone |
71% Working 13% Umemployed 12% Student |
| Study 10676 - IYPB vs. Waitlist Control | ||||||
| Characteristics of the Children and Youth | ||||||
| North and Mid, Wales | -- | Average age: 12.5 weeks; Age range: 3-29 weeks | -- | 52% Male | -- | -- |
| Characteristics of the Adults, Parents, or Caregivers | ||||||
| North and Mid, Wales | -- | Average age: 27 years; Age range: 17-44 years | 100% Caucasian | -- |
100% Biological mothers ; 24% Single Parent |
57% Both in work 20% Neither working |
“--” indicates information not reported in the study.
* The information about disabilities is based on initial coding. For more information on how the Clearinghouse recorded disability information for the initial release, please see our Resource Guide on Study Participant Characteristics and Settings. The Clearinghouse is currently seeking consultation from experts, including those with lived experience, and input from the public to enhance and improve the display.
Note: Citations for the documents associated with each 5-digit study number shown in the table can be found in the “Studies Reviewed” section below. Study settings and participant demographics are recorded for all studies that received moderate or high ratings on design and execution and that reported the information. Studies that did not report any information about setting or participant demographics are not displayed. For more information on how participant characteristics are recorded, please see our Resource Guide on Study Participant Characteristics and Settings.
Studies Rated High
Study 10699Pontoppidan, M., Klest, S. K., & Sandoy, T. M. (2016). The Incredible Years Parents and Babies Program: A pilot randomized controlled trial. PLOS One, 11(12), e0167592-e0167592. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0167592
Pontoppidan, M. (2015). The effectiveness of the Incredible Years™ Parents and Babies Program as a universal prevention intervention for parents of infants in Denmark: Study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial. Trials, 16, 386-386. doi:10.1186/s13063-015-0859-y
Studies Rated Moderate
Study 10676Jones, C. H., Erjavec, M., Viktor, S., & Hutchings, J. (2016). Outcomes of a comparison study into a group-based infant parenting programme. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 25(11), 3309-3321. doi:10.1007/s10826-016-0489-3
Studies Not Eligible for Review
Study 10653
Axberg, U., & Broberg, A. G. (2012). Evaluation of "The Incredible Years" in Sweden: The transferability of an American parent-training program to Sweden. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 53(3), 224-232. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9450.2012.00955.x
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Handbook Version 1.0, Section 4.1.6).
Study 10658
Chhangur, R. R., Weeland, J., Overbeek, G., Matthys, W., Castro, B., Giessen, D., & Belsky, J. (2017). Genetic moderation of intervention efficacy: Dopaminergic genes, The Incredible Years, and externalizing behavior in children. Child Development, 88(3), 796-811. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12612
Chhangur, R. R., Weeland, J., Overbeek, G., Matthys, W., & Orobio de Castro, B. (2012). ORCHIDS: An observational randomized controlled trial on childhood differential susceptibility. BMC Public Health, 12, 917-917. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-917
Overbeek, G. (2017). Parenting intervention effects on children’s externalizing behavior: The moderating role of genotype and temperament. Current Opinion in Psychology, 15, 143-148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.02.025
van Aar, J., Leijten, P., Orobio de Castro, B., Weeland, J., Matthys, W., Chhangur, R., & Overbeek, G. (2019). Families who benefit and families who do not: Integrating person- and variable-centered analyses of parenting intervention responses. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 58(10), 993-1003. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2019.02.004
Weeland, J., Chhangur, R. R., van der Giessen, D., Matthys, W., Orobio de Castro, B., & Overbeek, G. (2017). Intervention effectiveness of The Incredible Years: New insights into sociodemographic and intervention-based moderators. Behavior Therapy, 48(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2016.08.002
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Handbook Version 1.0, Section 4.1.6).
Study 10659
Dionne, R., Davis, B., Sheeber, L., & Madrigal, L. (2009). Initial evaluation of a cultural approach to implementation of evidence-based parenting interventions in American Indian communities. Journal of Community Psychology, 37(7), 911-921. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.20336
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Handbook Version 1.0, Section 4.1.6).
Study 10660
Drugli, M. B., Fossum, S., Larsson, B., & Morch, W. T. (2010). Characteristics of young children with persistent conduct problems 1 year after treatment with the Incredible Years program. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 19(7), 559-565. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-009-0083-y
Drugli, M. B., Larsson, B., & Clifford, G. (2007). Changes in social competence in young children treated because of conduct problems as viewed by multiple informants. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 16(6), 370-378. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-007-0609-0
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Handbook Version 1.0, Section 4.1.6).
Study 10663
Gardner, F., Burton, J., & Klimes, I. (2006). Randomised controlled trial of a parenting intervention in the voluntary sector for reducing child conduct problems: Outcomes and mechanisms of change. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 47(11), 1123-1132. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2006.01668.x
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Handbook Version 1.0, Section 4.1.6).
Study 10668
Herman, K. C., Borden, L. A., Reinke, W. M., & Webster-Stratton, C. (2011). The impact of the Incredible Years parent, child, and teacher training programs on children's co-occurring internalizing symptoms. School Psychology Quarterly, 26(3), 189-201. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0025228
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Handbook Version 1.0, Section 4.1.6).
Study 10669
Homem, T. C., Gaspar, M. F., Seabra-Santos, M. J., Canavarro, M. C., & Azevedo, A. (2014). A pilot study with the Incredible Years Parenting Training: Does it work for fathers of preschoolers with oppositional behavior symptoms? Fathering, 12(3), 262-282. http://dx.doi.org/10.3149/fth.1203.262.
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Handbook Version 1.0, Section 4.1.6).
Study 10670
Hughes, J. R., & Gottlieb, L. N. (2004). The effects of the Webster-Stratton parenting program on maltreating families: Fostering strengths. Child Abuse & Neglect, 28(10), 1081-1097. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2004.02.004
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Handbook Version 1.0, Section 4.1.6).
Study 10678
Kim, E., Cain, K. C., & Webster-Stratton, C. (2008). The preliminary effect of a parenting program for Korean American mothers: A randomized controlled experimental study. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 45(9), 1261-1273. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2007.10.002
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Handbook Version 1.0, Section 4.1.6).
Study 10681
Larsson, B., Fossum, S., Clifford, G., Drugli, M. B., Handegård, B. H., & Mørch, W.-T. (2009). Treatment of oppositional defiant and conduct problems in young Norwegian children: Results of a randomized controlled trial. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 18(1), 42-52. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-008-0702-z
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Handbook Version 1.0, Section 4.1.6).
Study 10684
Leijten, P., Melendez-Torres, G. J., Knerr, W., & Gardner, F. (2016). Transported versus homegrown parenting interventions for reducing disruptive child behavior: A multilevel meta-regression study. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 55(7), 610-617. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2016.05.003
Leijten, P., Raaijmakers, M. A. J., Orobio de Castro, B., van den Ban, E., & Matthys, W. (2017). Effectiveness of the Incredible Years parenting program for families with socioeconomically disadvantaged and ethnic minority backgrounds. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 46(1), 59-73. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2015.1038823
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Handbook Version 1.0, Section 4.1.6).
Study 10687
Linares, L. O., Montalto, D., Li, M., & Oza, V. S. (2006). A promising parenting intervention in foster care. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74(1), 32-41. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.74.1.32
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Handbook Version 1.0, Section 4.1.6).
Study 10689
McGilloway, S., Mhaille, G. N., Bywater, T., Furlong, M., Leckey, Y., Kelly, P., Comiskey, C., & Donnelly, M. (2012). A parenting intervention for childhood behavioral problems: A randomized controlled trial in disadvantaged community-based settings. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 80(1), 116-127. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0026304
McGilloway, S., NiMhaille, G., Bywater, T., Leckey, Y., Kelly, P., Furlong, M., Comiskey, C., O’Neill, D., & Donnelly, M. (2014). Reducing child conduct disordered behaviour and improving parent mental health in disadvantaged families: A 12-month follow-up and cost analysis of a parenting intervention. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 23(9), 783-794. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-013-0499-2
O'Neill, D., McGilloway, S., Donnelly, M., Bywater, T., & Kelly, P. (2013). A cost-effectiveness analysis of the Incredible Years parenting programme in reducing childhood health inequalities. The European Journal of Health Economics, 14(1), 85-94. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10198-011-0342-y
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Handbook Version 1.0, Section 4.1.6).
Study 10692
Menting, A. T. A., de Castro, B. O., Wijngaards-de Meij, L. D. N. V., & Matthys, W. (2014). A trial of parent training for mothers being released from incarceration and their children. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 43(3), 381-396. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2013.817310
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Handbook Version 1.0, Section 4.1.6).
Study 10697
Patterson, J., Barlow, J., Mockford, C., Klimes, I., Pyper, C., & Stewart-Brown, S. (2002). Improving mental health through parenting programmes: Block randomised controlled trial. Archives if Disease In Childhood, 87(6), 472-477. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136%2Fadc.87.6.472
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Handbook Version 1.0, Section 4.1.6).
Study 10701
Reedtz, C., Handegård, B. H., & Mørch, W. T. (2011). Promoting positive parenting practices in primary pare: Outcomes and mechanisms of change in a randomized controlled risk reduction trial. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 52(2), 131-137. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9450.2010.00854.x
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Handbook Version 1.0, Section 4.1.6).
Study 10704
Sampaio, F., Enebrink, P., Mihalopoulos, C., & Feldman, I. (2016). Cost-effectiveness of four parenting programs and bibliotherapy for parents of children with conduct problems. Journal of Mental Health Policy and Economics, 19(4), 201-212.
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Handbook Version 1.0, Section 4.1.6).
Study 10706
Scott, S., & O'Connor, T. G. (2012). An experimental test of differential susceptibility to parenting among emotionally-dysregulated children in a randomized controlled trial for oppositional behavior. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 53(11), 1184-1193. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2012.02586.x
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Handbook Version 1.0, Section 4.1.6).
Study 10709
Silva, I. S., & da Fonseca Gaspar, M. F. (2014). Supporting Portuguese residential child care staff: An exploratory study with the Incredible Years Basic Parent Programme. Psychosocial Intervention, 23(1), 33-41. https://doi.org/10.5093/in2014a4
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Handbook Version 1.0, Section 4.1.6).
Study 10711
Stattin, H., Enebrink, P., Özdemir, M., & Giannotta, F. (2015). A national evaluation of parenting programs in Sweden: The short-term effects using an RCT effectiveness design. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 83(6), 1069-1084. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0039328
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Handbook Version 1.0, Section 4.1.6).
Study 10712
Stewart-Brown, S., Patterson, J., Mockford, C., Barlow, J., Klimes, I., & Pyper, C. (2004). Impact of a general practice based group parenting programme: Quantitative and qualitative results from a controlled trial at 12 months. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 89(6), 519-525. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2214.2004.00456_5.x
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Handbook Version 1.0, Section 4.1.6).
Study 10713
Taylor, T. K., Schmidt, F., Pepler, D., & Hodgins, C. (1998). A comparison of eclectic treatment with Webster-Stratton's parents and children series in a children's mental health center: A randomized controlled trial. Behavior Therapy, 29(2), 221-240. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7894(98)80004-X
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Handbook Version 1.0, Section 4.1.6).
Study 10716
Webster-Stratton, C., & Herman, K. C. (2008). The impact of parent behavior-management training on child depressive symptoms. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 55(4), 473-484. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0013664
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Handbook Version 1.0, Section 4.1.6).