3 - (SYM 27) Feasibility of an AI Platform to Enhance Parent Management Training: A Case Series

Parent Management Training (PMT) is a manualized evidence-based parenting intervention that targets child externalizing behavior problems. The present study evaluated the feasibility of delivering PMT to caregivers participating in a parenting group using an Artificial Intelligence-based Conversational Agent (AI-CA; Pat) with therapist support. Participants were 11 caregivers who received free access to Pat, as well as brief weekly phone check-ins by a therapist for 8 weeks. Feasibility was assessed by examining treatment fidelity, safety, acceptability and satisfaction, and engagement. Overall, treatment fidelity was high (98% adherence). There was no harmful content delivered by Pat, and Pat prompted the users to contact professionals when appropriate. Engagement, measured by number of messages exchanged and module completion, was moderate to high. Satisfaction was excellent, and acceptability themes highlighted usability, including Pat being described as resourceful, educational, and easy to use. Findings from this study provide preliminary support for the feasibility and acceptability of the use of Pat to deliver PMT to enhance a group parenting intervention and represents an initial step to examine the efficacy and scalability of this novel technology in future larger randomized controlled trials.