M. Anderluh
Služba za otroško psihiatrijo, Pediatrična klinika, Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana, Ljubljana

A. Mirković
Služba za otroško psihiatrijo, Pediatrična klinika, Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenija

Abstract

Conduct disorders present the most common reason for referral in the child mental health services. They present a serious threat to their health development, their academic achievements, social relationships, parental wellbeing, as well as a major long-term burden to the society. There is evidence that helping parents to raise their children is a cost-effective strategy for health services and the society and here is where parenting programs have a crucial role. Parenting programs are evidenced based interventions for conduct disorders and prevention of behavioural problems in early childhood. They are designed to improve the overall quality of parenting by strengthening parenting competencies and promoting children´s academic, social and emotional skills. With the aim to introduce an evidence-based program for early intervention and prevention of conduct disorders in young children, a funding was obtained from the Norway Financial Mechanisms and parenting training from the Incredible Years Programs has been offered to 692 Slovenian parents of children between 3 to 8 years. The program was delivered in ten centres from three different sectors, in mental health services, centres for social work and in a family centre run by the Municipality, coming from five different regions across the country.

Key words: parenting programs, behavioural problems.