Parent preferences for peer connection in virtual mental health and parenting support platforms

Abstract

Social support and connection with other parents can provide emotional, informational, and parenting support as well as increase self-efficacy and reduce parenting anxiety. These peer connections can be integrated in online and app-based (eHealth) family mental health and parenting programs through forums/chats or video group sessions. Little is known about parental preferences regarding eHealth features, yet they could be key factors influencing uptake and utility of programs. Accordingly, the present study aims to examine parent preferences for connecting with other parents in eHealth programs. Parents (n=177) of 0-5- year-old children in the US were recruited on MTurk. Most (86.4%) preferred connecting with other parents in an eHealth program with 73.2% preferring to connect anonymously. If using a forum, 45.5% of mothers were comfortable connecting only with other mothers whereas 54.5% were comfortable connecting with parents of any gender. 80.3% of fathers were comfortable connecting with all parents. Results were similar for videoconferencing. Age, income, number of children, recent stressful events, social support, mental health symptoms, and parenting stress did not predict any of these preferences. Integrating peer connection should be considered in developing parental eHealth programs as it is in line with the preferences of most parents and programs that match user preferences have been shown to have higher enrollment and adherence.