“PCIT Is a Bubble:” Black Caregiver’s Impressions of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy’s Alignment with Raising Black Children in the U.S

Black families are underrepresented in the evidence-base for Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), and existing research shows disproportionately high attrition and questions of cultural mismatch. This qualitative study interviewed 18 Black caregivers with PCIT experience, half of whom completed PCIT and half who withdrew from treatment to better understand caregivers’ impressions of PCIT. Codebook thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview data. Caregivers identified alignments and misalignments between PCIT and raising Black children in the U.S. Caregivers’ recommendations for adaptations included better preparation for clinicians, more aligned psychoeducation in preparing Black families for PCIT, and more Black PCIT clinicians.