Efficacy of a Brief Video Intervention to Improve Parenting Attitudes, Knowledge, and Use of Time-Out: A Randomized Control Trial

Time-out from positive reinforcement (TOPR) is an effective limit-setting strategy for decreasing disruptive behaviors in young children. However, most publicly available information on TOPR (e.g., social media and other internet outlets) is inaccurate, leading to misperceptions and ineffective implementation by caregivers. We evaluated a brief (2-minute) behavioral, psychoeducational video on the evidence-based use of TOPR to determine whether a low-dose, universal intervention would change caregivers’ attitudes, increase knowledge, and improve correct use of TOPR. The primary caregivers of 1,472 children 2 to 8 years old were randomly assigned to watch a video on TOPR (intervention) or a video on the stages of child play (control). Caregivers completed self-report measures assessing their knowledge of and attitudes toward TOPR, use of TOPR, and severity of their child’s behavior problems at baseline, immediate follow-up, and 1-month follow-up. Acceptability of the intervention was assessed at immediate and 1-month follow-up. Caregivers who watched a 2-minute video on TOPR showed significant improvements in their understanding of TOPR ( F (1, 703) = 6.56, p = .011, Cohen’s d = .20) and the correct use of time-out ( F (1, 703) = 4.36, p = .037, Cohen’s d = .16), but their attitudes toward time-out did not significantly change. Implications for the development and dissemination of universal, low-dose psychoeducation on TOPR are discussed.