Can Technology and the Media Help Reduce Dysfunctional Parenting and Increase Engagement With Preventative Parenting Interventions?

Abstract

The studies aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Triple P-based "Driving Mum and Dad Mad" television series in improving positive parenting behaviours and child wellbeing over a six month period. A secondary aim was to compare the effectiveness of the intervention with (enhanced condition) and without (standard condition) extra support and resources. The influence of demographic details and parenting background were recorded to check for effects on outcomes and compliance. HypothesesParticipants were recruited across two waves, GPE1 (N = 450) and GPE2 (N = 270). Data from these two waves were combined. Both assessment groups used a repeated measures design and were randomly allocated to the two intervention conditions (standard or enhanced). Participants in the enhanced condition received downloadable tip sheets, a workbook and media resources in addition to the standard reminders to watch the series. All parents were administered a set of questionnaires measuring family background (Family Background Questionnaire); parental anger (Parental Anger Inventory); parenting style (Parenting Scale); parenting confidence for dealing with misbehaviour (Parenting Task Checklist); inter-parental conflict (Parent Problem Checklist); child disruptive behaviour (Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory); parental relationship satisfaction (Relationship Quality Index); and mood (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale). These were administered pre-intervention, as well as 12 weeks and 6 months after watching the series. Parents were also assessed on the number of episodes they watched, child-problem severity and demographic details. Hypotheses were as follows: 1. Parental factors, such as level of dysfunctional parenting style and anger, may influence the success of the interventions and persistence with watching the television series. 2. Demographic variables may influence intervention outcomes and viewing compliance. For example, based on prior research, parents from lower socio-economic status (SES) backgrounds were predicted to show less positive changes to parenting and child outcomes than parents from higher socio-economic backgrounds. 3. Severity of child problems may influence compliance and satisfaction outcomes. Parents of children with problems of greater severity were predicted to be less likely to complete watching the series, due to increased feelings of pressure and responsibility. ResultsResults were found to support the effectiveness of the media-based interventions over 12 week and 6-months for all measured variables apart from parental relationship quality. Information was found for the other hypotheses:-1. Parents with lower DASS and PS scores were more likely to have poorer reported child and parent outcomes. 2. Partner SES was significantly correlated with poorer reported child and parent outcomes. Additionally, parents from higher socio-economic backgrounds were more likely to watch the entire series and use the strategies at six-month follow-up. 3. Parents who reported greater severity of child problems were more ...

Les programmes parentaux ont-ils leur place dans les pays francophones européens ? Analyse des besoins des parents et du soutien souhaité

“…Il prend aussi en compte les besoins de familles très variées et les innovations récentes ont étendu la gamme des modalités de diffusion du programme [7]. En plus des traditionnels programmes de groupes et individuels, les parents ont la possibilité d'apprendre et de pratiquer leurs compétences parentales avec des cahiers d'exercices et un soutien par téléphone [23], par l'intermédiaire d'un site internet [24] ou encore d'une émission télévisée [25]. La transmission des informations via différents médias semble favorable à la participation des groupes plus difficiles à atteindre et la démarche des parents est vécue comme moins stigmatisante [20].…”

A systematic review of universal campaigns targeting child physical abuse prevention

“…However, some measure of behavior change was assessed in more than half (58.8%) of the studies [46,47,[49][50][51][52][53][56][57][58][59]. Significant decreases were seen in child behavior problems [47,[57][58][59] and in dysfunctional or coercive parenting behaviors [47,51,57,59]. Two studies reported increases in calls to helplines to report child abuse cases [46,52].…”

“…Only three studies examined child abuse outcomes specifically and found a reduction in the incidence of abusive head injuries [49], child maltreatment injuries [56] and child maltreatment cases [52,56]; though one was not statistically significant [52]. However, some measure of behavior change was assessed in more than half (58.8%) of the studies [46,47,[49][50][51][52][53][56][57][58][59]. Significant decreases were seen in child behavior problems [47,[57][58][59] and in dysfunctional or coercive parenting behaviors [47,51,57,59].…”

“…In all, 29 different campaigns were identified and fully reviewed. After review, 17 articles that reported on evaluations of 15 campaigns, met our study criteria and were included in our final analysis [46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62]. As this is a formative review and not a formal meta-analysis, multiple evaluations of the same intervention were permitted and counted as separate articles.…”

Telephone-supported versus self-directed delivery of an online parenting program: Outcomes, mediators and moderators of change

“…Additionally, novel research trials evaluating the effects of viewing a publicly-aired six-week television series ("Driving Mum and Dad Mad"), documenting the experiences of families attending Triple P (Calam, Sanders, Miller, Sadhnani, & Carmont, 2008), have found positive outcomes, although this is not a disseminated resource within the core Triple P framework.…”