Effects of parent management training programs on disruptive behavior for children with a developmental disability: A meta-analysis

•The main effect of PMT on the behavior of children with a developmental disability is significant.•Type of PMT, delivery type and setting, and level of trainer education are significant moderators.•Session number and duration, as well as child age were not significant moderators.

This meta-analysis determined the effects of parent management training (PMT) on disruptive behaviors in children with a developmental disability. Parent management training programs, based on behavioral theories of psychology, are commonly used in addressing disruptive behavior in children. Eleven studies met inclusion criteria with a total of 540 participants, with 275 in experimental groups and 265 in control groups. The effect of PMT on the disruptive behavior in children with a developmental disability was significant (g = 0.39). The moderator effects of type of PMT, delivery type and setting, and administrator level of education were also significant. The moderator effects of child age, and session number and duration were not significant in this meta-analysis.