Publications by category
Journal articles
Allen K, Hansford L, Hayes R, Longdon B, Price A, Byford S, Norwich B, Ford T (In Press). Teachers’ views on the acceptability and implementation of the Incredible Years ® Teacher Classroom Management programme in English (UK) primary schools from the STARS trial.
British Journal of Educational PsychologyAbstract:
Teachers’ views on the acceptability and implementation of the Incredible Years ® Teacher Classroom Management programme in English (UK) primary schools from the STARS trial
Background
The Incredible Years® (IY) Teacher Classroom Management (TCM) programme may reduce disruptive behaviour in the classroom and improve child and teacher mental health, however few studies have considered how acceptable TCM is to teachers or what facilitators and barriers there are to its implementation.
Aims
In this paper we examine the acceptability of the full six-day TCM programme and teachers’ perceived barriers and facilitators to implementation in the English (UK) primary school context.
Sample
Forty-four English (UK) primary school teachers who attended the TCM programme as part of the STARS trial.
Methods
We completed focus groups and telephone interviews with participating teachers two months after they completed the TCM programme. Thematic analysis was used to examine the data, and a framework approach was applied to organise and summarise themes.
Results
Teachers liked the structure of the course, the peer group learning environment, delivery methods, and the opportunity to reflect outside the classroom on their practice. They reported that the video clips used lacked cultural relevance and highlighted the importance of group leadership style. Perceived facilitators to implementation included an understanding of the theory underpinning TCM and adaptability of the TCM strategies. Barriers included perceived gaps in the course content in relation to challenging behaviour, applying strategies with older children and the school context within which teachers were working.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest high levels of acceptability to TCM overall, but also highlight the need for a whole school approach to combat potential barriers to implementation.
Abstract.
Lamont RA, Quinn C, Nelis SM, Martyr A, Rusted JM, Hindle JV, Longdon B, Clare L (2019). Self-esteem, self-efficacy and optimism as psychological resources among family caregivers of people with dementia: Findings from the IDEAL study.
International Psychogeriatrics,
31Abstract:
Self-esteem, self-efficacy and optimism as psychological resources among family caregivers of people with dementia: Findings from the IDEAL study
Objectives:
Being a family caregiver, and in particular giving care to someone with dementia, impacts mental and physical health and potentially reduces the ability of caregivers to “live well.” This paper examines whether three key psychological resources—self-efficacy, optimism, and self-esteem—are associated with better outcomes for caregivers of people with dementia.
Design and Participants:
Caregivers of 1,283 people with mild-to-moderate dementia in the Improving the Experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life (IDEAL) project responded to measures of self-efficacy, optimism, and self-esteem, and “living well” (quality of life, life satisfaction, and well-being). Multivariate linear regression was used to examine the association between psychological resources and “living well”.
Results:
Self-efficacy, optimism, and self-esteem were all independently associated with better capability to “live well” for caregivers. This association persisted when accounting for a number of potential confounding variables (age group, sex, and hours of caregiving per day).
Conclusions:
Low self-efficacy, optimism, and self-esteem might present a risk of poor outcomes for caregivers of people with dementia. These findings encourage us to consider how new or established interventions might increase the psychological resilience of caregivers.
Abstract.
Allen KL, Hansford L, Hayes R, Allwood M, Byford S, Longdon B, Price A, Ford T (2019). Teachers’ perceptions of the impact of the Incredible Years® Teacher Classroom Management programme on their practice and on the social and emotional development of their pupils.
British Journal of Educational PsychologyAbstract:
Teachers’ perceptions of the impact of the Incredible Years® Teacher Classroom Management programme on their practice and on the social and emotional development of their pupils
Background
The Incredible Years® (IY) Teacher Classroom Management (TCM) programme may be an effective way to reduce teacher stress levels, improve child behaviour and promote positive socio-emotional development. However, few studies have considered what teachers think of the course and how it might work.
Aims
In this paper we examine teachers’ perceptions of the impact of the TCM programme and how it might work in the classroom.
Sample(s)
Fourty-four UK primary school teachers who attended the TCM programme as part of the STARS trial (Ford et al. 2018).
Methods
Focus groups and interviews were held with teachers two months after completing the TCM programme. Thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) was employed to explore the subsequent data.
Results
Three main themes were identified: impact on the teacher; on children; and on parent-teacher relationships. Impact on the teacher included a positive change in their ethos. Teachers reported being more able to see things from the child’s perspective, placing a greater focus on building positive relationships, thinking before responding, feeling calmer, more confident and in control and employing strategies to create positive interactions with children. Teachers felt this had had a positive impact on their pupils’ development and relationships with parents. Feedback on whether or not TCM was effective in tackling particularly challenging behaviour was more mixed.
Conclusions
Our findings suggest that teachers experience the TCM programme as beneficial. This is discussed alongside other qualitative and quantitative studies in this field.
Abstract.
Hayes RA, Titheradge D, Allen K, Allwood M, Byford S, Edwards V, Hansford L, Longdon B, Norman S, Norwich B, et al (2019). The Incredible Years® Teacher Classroom Management programme and its impact on teachers’ professional self-efficacy, work related stress and general well-being: results from the STARS randomised controlled trial.
Journal of Educational PsychologyAbstract:
The Incredible Years® Teacher Classroom Management programme and its impact on teachers’ professional self-efficacy, work related stress and general well-being: results from the STARS randomised controlled trial
Background
Teaching is a stressful occupation with poor retention. The Incredible Years® Teacher Classroom Management (TCM) programme is a training program that past research has demonstrated may be an effective intervention for children’s mental health, but little research has explored any impacts there may be on the teachers’ own professional confidence and mental health.
Aims
In this paper we evaluate whether TCM may lead to changes in teachers’ wellbeing, namely a reduction in burnout and an improvement in self-efficacy and mental health.
Sample
Eighty schools across the South West of England were recruited between September 2012 and September 2014. Headteachers were asked to nominate one class teacher to take part.
Methods
Eighty teachers were randomised to either attend a TCM course (intervention) or not (control). TCM was delivered to groups of up to twelve teachers in six whole-day workshops that were evenly spread between October and April. At baseline and nine months follow-up we measured teachers’ mental health using the Everyday Feelings Questionnaire (EFQ), burnout using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) and self-efficacy using the Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale-Short (TSES-Short).
Results
Using linear regression models there was little evidence of differences at follow-up between the intervention and control teachers on the outcomes (the smallest p-value was 0.09).
Conclusions
Our findings did not replicate previous research that TCM improved teachers’ sense of efficacy. However, there were limitations with this study including low sample size.
Abstract.
Ford T, Hayes RA, Edwards V, Logan GS, Norwich B, Allen KL, Hansford L, Longdon BM, Norman S, Price A, et al (2019). Training teachers in classroom management to improve mental health in primary school children: the STARS cluster RCT. Public Health Research, 7
Titheradge D, Hayes R, Longdon B, Allen K, Price A, Hansford L, Nye E, Ukoumunne O, Byford S, Norwich B, et al (2018). Psychological distress amongst primary school teachers: a comparison with clinical and population samples. Public Health, 166, 53-56.
Ford T, Hayes RA, Byford S, Edwards V, Fletcher M, Logan G, Norwich B, Pritchard W, Allen K, Allwood M, et al (2018). The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the Incredible Years® Teacher Classroom Management programme in primary school children: results of the STARS cluster randomised controlled trial.
Psychological MedicineAbstract:
The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the Incredible Years® Teacher Classroom Management programme in primary school children: results of the STARS cluster randomised controlled trial
Abstract
Background. We evaluated the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the Incredible Years® Teacher Classroom Management (TCM) programme as a universal intervention, given schools’ important influence on child mental health.
Methods. A two-arm, pragmatic, parallel group, superiority, cluster randomised controlled trial recruited three cohorts of schools (clusters) between 2012 and 2014, randomising them to TCM (intervention) or Teaching As Usual (TAU-control). TCM was delivered to teachers
in six whole-day sessions, spread over 6 months. Schools and teachers were not masked to allocation. The primary outcome was teacher-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) Total Difficulties score. Random effects linear regression and marginal logistic regression models using Generalised Estimating Equations were used to analyse the
outcomes. Trial registration: ISRCTN84130388.
Results. Eighty schools (2075 children) were enrolled; 40 (1037 children) to TCM and 40 (1038 children) to TAU. Outcome data were collected at 9, 18, and 30-months for 96, 89, and 85% of children, respectively. The intervention reduced the SDQ-Total Difficulties score at 9 months (mean (S.D.):5.5 (5.4) in TCM v. 6.2 (6.2) in TAU; adjusted mean difference
= −1.0; 95% CI−1.9 to −0.1; p = 0.03) but this did not persist at 18 or 30 months. Cost-effectiveness analysis suggested that TCM may be cost-effective compared with TAU at 30-months, but this result was associated with uncertainty so no firm conclusions can be drawn. A priori
subgroup analyses suggested TCM is more effective for children with poor mental health.
Conclusions. TCM provided a small, short-term improvement to children’s mental health particularly for children who are already struggling.
Abstract.
Publications by year
In Press
Allen K, Hansford L, Hayes R, Longdon B, Price A, Byford S, Norwich B, Ford T (In Press). Teachers’ views on the acceptability and implementation of the Incredible Years ® Teacher Classroom Management programme in English (UK) primary schools from the STARS trial.
British Journal of Educational PsychologyAbstract:
Teachers’ views on the acceptability and implementation of the Incredible Years ® Teacher Classroom Management programme in English (UK) primary schools from the STARS trial
Background
The Incredible Years® (IY) Teacher Classroom Management (TCM) programme may reduce disruptive behaviour in the classroom and improve child and teacher mental health, however few studies have considered how acceptable TCM is to teachers or what facilitators and barriers there are to its implementation.
Aims
In this paper we examine the acceptability of the full six-day TCM programme and teachers’ perceived barriers and facilitators to implementation in the English (UK) primary school context.
Sample
Forty-four English (UK) primary school teachers who attended the TCM programme as part of the STARS trial.
Methods
We completed focus groups and telephone interviews with participating teachers two months after they completed the TCM programme. Thematic analysis was used to examine the data, and a framework approach was applied to organise and summarise themes.
Results
Teachers liked the structure of the course, the peer group learning environment, delivery methods, and the opportunity to reflect outside the classroom on their practice. They reported that the video clips used lacked cultural relevance and highlighted the importance of group leadership style. Perceived facilitators to implementation included an understanding of the theory underpinning TCM and adaptability of the TCM strategies. Barriers included perceived gaps in the course content in relation to challenging behaviour, applying strategies with older children and the school context within which teachers were working.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest high levels of acceptability to TCM overall, but also highlight the need for a whole school approach to combat potential barriers to implementation.
Abstract.
2019
Lamont RA, Quinn C, Nelis SM, Martyr A, Rusted JM, Hindle JV, Longdon B, Clare L (2019). Self-esteem, self-efficacy and optimism as psychological resources among family caregivers of people with dementia: Findings from the IDEAL study.
International Psychogeriatrics,
31Abstract:
Self-esteem, self-efficacy and optimism as psychological resources among family caregivers of people with dementia: Findings from the IDEAL study
Objectives:
Being a family caregiver, and in particular giving care to someone with dementia, impacts mental and physical health and potentially reduces the ability of caregivers to “live well.” This paper examines whether three key psychological resources—self-efficacy, optimism, and self-esteem—are associated with better outcomes for caregivers of people with dementia.
Design and Participants:
Caregivers of 1,283 people with mild-to-moderate dementia in the Improving the Experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life (IDEAL) project responded to measures of self-efficacy, optimism, and self-esteem, and “living well” (quality of life, life satisfaction, and well-being). Multivariate linear regression was used to examine the association between psychological resources and “living well”.
Results:
Self-efficacy, optimism, and self-esteem were all independently associated with better capability to “live well” for caregivers. This association persisted when accounting for a number of potential confounding variables (age group, sex, and hours of caregiving per day).
Conclusions:
Low self-efficacy, optimism, and self-esteem might present a risk of poor outcomes for caregivers of people with dementia. These findings encourage us to consider how new or established interventions might increase the psychological resilience of caregivers.
Abstract.
Allen KL, Hansford L, Hayes R, Allwood M, Byford S, Longdon B, Price A, Ford T (2019). Teachers’ perceptions of the impact of the Incredible Years® Teacher Classroom Management programme on their practice and on the social and emotional development of their pupils.
British Journal of Educational PsychologyAbstract:
Teachers’ perceptions of the impact of the Incredible Years® Teacher Classroom Management programme on their practice and on the social and emotional development of their pupils
Background
The Incredible Years® (IY) Teacher Classroom Management (TCM) programme may be an effective way to reduce teacher stress levels, improve child behaviour and promote positive socio-emotional development. However, few studies have considered what teachers think of the course and how it might work.
Aims
In this paper we examine teachers’ perceptions of the impact of the TCM programme and how it might work in the classroom.
Sample(s)
Fourty-four UK primary school teachers who attended the TCM programme as part of the STARS trial (Ford et al. 2018).
Methods
Focus groups and interviews were held with teachers two months after completing the TCM programme. Thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) was employed to explore the subsequent data.
Results
Three main themes were identified: impact on the teacher; on children; and on parent-teacher relationships. Impact on the teacher included a positive change in their ethos. Teachers reported being more able to see things from the child’s perspective, placing a greater focus on building positive relationships, thinking before responding, feeling calmer, more confident and in control and employing strategies to create positive interactions with children. Teachers felt this had had a positive impact on their pupils’ development and relationships with parents. Feedback on whether or not TCM was effective in tackling particularly challenging behaviour was more mixed.
Conclusions
Our findings suggest that teachers experience the TCM programme as beneficial. This is discussed alongside other qualitative and quantitative studies in this field.
Abstract.
Hayes RA, Titheradge D, Allen K, Allwood M, Byford S, Edwards V, Hansford L, Longdon B, Norman S, Norwich B, et al (2019). The Incredible Years® Teacher Classroom Management programme and its impact on teachers’ professional self-efficacy, work related stress and general well-being: results from the STARS randomised controlled trial.
Journal of Educational PsychologyAbstract:
The Incredible Years® Teacher Classroom Management programme and its impact on teachers’ professional self-efficacy, work related stress and general well-being: results from the STARS randomised controlled trial
Background
Teaching is a stressful occupation with poor retention. The Incredible Years® Teacher Classroom Management (TCM) programme is a training program that past research has demonstrated may be an effective intervention for children’s mental health, but little research has explored any impacts there may be on the teachers’ own professional confidence and mental health.
Aims
In this paper we evaluate whether TCM may lead to changes in teachers’ wellbeing, namely a reduction in burnout and an improvement in self-efficacy and mental health.
Sample
Eighty schools across the South West of England were recruited between September 2012 and September 2014. Headteachers were asked to nominate one class teacher to take part.
Methods
Eighty teachers were randomised to either attend a TCM course (intervention) or not (control). TCM was delivered to groups of up to twelve teachers in six whole-day workshops that were evenly spread between October and April. At baseline and nine months follow-up we measured teachers’ mental health using the Everyday Feelings Questionnaire (EFQ), burnout using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) and self-efficacy using the Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale-Short (TSES-Short).
Results
Using linear regression models there was little evidence of differences at follow-up between the intervention and control teachers on the outcomes (the smallest p-value was 0.09).
Conclusions
Our findings did not replicate previous research that TCM improved teachers’ sense of efficacy. However, there were limitations with this study including low sample size.
Abstract.
Ford T, Hayes RA, Edwards V, Logan GS, Norwich B, Allen KL, Hansford L, Longdon BM, Norman S, Price A, et al (2019). Training teachers in classroom management to improve mental health in primary school children: the STARS cluster RCT. Public Health Research, 7
2018
Titheradge D, Hayes R, Longdon B, Allen K, Price A, Hansford L, Nye E, Ukoumunne O, Byford S, Norwich B, et al (2018). Psychological distress amongst primary school teachers: a comparison with clinical and population samples. Public Health, 166, 53-56.
Ford T, Hayes RA, Byford S, Edwards V, Fletcher M, Logan G, Norwich B, Pritchard W, Allen K, Allwood M, et al (2018). The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the Incredible Years® Teacher Classroom Management programme in primary school children: results of the STARS cluster randomised controlled trial.
Psychological MedicineAbstract:
The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the Incredible Years® Teacher Classroom Management programme in primary school children: results of the STARS cluster randomised controlled trial
Abstract
Background. We evaluated the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the Incredible Years® Teacher Classroom Management (TCM) programme as a universal intervention, given schools’ important influence on child mental health.
Methods. A two-arm, pragmatic, parallel group, superiority, cluster randomised controlled trial recruited three cohorts of schools (clusters) between 2012 and 2014, randomising them to TCM (intervention) or Teaching As Usual (TAU-control). TCM was delivered to teachers
in six whole-day sessions, spread over 6 months. Schools and teachers were not masked to allocation. The primary outcome was teacher-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) Total Difficulties score. Random effects linear regression and marginal logistic regression models using Generalised Estimating Equations were used to analyse the
outcomes. Trial registration: ISRCTN84130388.
Results. Eighty schools (2075 children) were enrolled; 40 (1037 children) to TCM and 40 (1038 children) to TAU. Outcome data were collected at 9, 18, and 30-months for 96, 89, and 85% of children, respectively. The intervention reduced the SDQ-Total Difficulties score at 9 months (mean (S.D.):5.5 (5.4) in TCM v. 6.2 (6.2) in TAU; adjusted mean difference
= −1.0; 95% CI−1.9 to −0.1; p = 0.03) but this did not persist at 18 or 30 months. Cost-effectiveness analysis suggested that TCM may be cost-effective compared with TAU at 30-months, but this result was associated with uncertainty so no firm conclusions can be drawn. A priori
subgroup analyses suggested TCM is more effective for children with poor mental health.
Conclusions. TCM provided a small, short-term improvement to children’s mental health particularly for children who are already struggling.
Abstract.