Parental Self-Efficacy to Promote Children’s Healthy Lifestyles: A Pilot and Feasibility Study

Abstract

Positive parenting programs are a key strategy to promote the development of parental competence. We designed a pilot study based on parental self-efficacy to promote healthy lifestyles in their children aged between 2 to 5 years old. In this pilot study, we aimed to assess the effects of a parenting program on parental self-efficacy and parenting styles. Twenty-five parents were allocated into intervention (N = 15) and control group (N = 10). Parents from the intervention group received four group sessions (120 mi per session) to develop a positive parenting, parenting styles and parenting skills regarding to children’s diet, exercise, and screen time, and two additional sessions about child development and family games. Parents from the control group received these two latter sessions. Parental self-efficacy, parenting styles, and meal-related parenting practices were measured before and after the intervention and at 3-month follow-up. Acceptability and feasibility of the program was also measured. Quantitative data were analyzed using the repeat measures ANOVA and ANCOVA tests and the effect size calculation. Content analysis was used to analyse open questions. Positive trends were found regarding parental self-efficacy and the use of authoritative parenting style. Parents also reported a great acceptability of the program getting high satisfaction. According to the feasibility barriers and facilitators aspects were identified. The positive trends founded in this study support the development of parenting programs to promote healthy lifestyle in children.

Peer‐led alcohol intervention for college students: A pilot randomized controlled trial

“…Due to the exploratory nature of the study, the main objective was to identify the preliminary efficacy and feasibility of the implementation process (Lancaster et al, 2004). This is in line with similar studies (Ntouva et al, 2019; Ruiz‐Zaldibar et al, 2021). Nevertheless, according to Ruiz‐Zaldibar et al (2021), we determined that a minimum of 30 participants were necessary to obtain an estimate of the intervention's effect size.…”

“…This is in line with similar studies (Ntouva et al, 2019; Ruiz‐Zaldibar et al, 2021). Nevertheless, according to Ruiz‐Zaldibar et al (2021), we determined that a minimum of 30 participants were necessary to obtain an estimate of the intervention's effect size.…”

“…First, this study demonstrated the feasibility of implementing an intervention to decrease alcohol use among university students and provided promising outcomes for reducing the number of binge‐drinking episodes and the peak BAC. Identifying the potential barriers and factors that facilitate implementation is paramount prior to a full‐scale study (Ruiz‐Zaldibar et al, 2021). Second, the MRC is a very useful framework for evaluating complex interventions that combine physical, psychological, and environmental aspects and educational activities (Möhler et al, 2012; Ruiz‐Zaldibar et al, 2021).…”

“…Identifying the potential barriers and factors that facilitate implementation is paramount prior to a full‐scale study (Ruiz‐Zaldibar et al, 2021). Second, the MRC is a very useful framework for evaluating complex interventions that combine physical, psychological, and environmental aspects and educational activities (Möhler et al, 2012; Ruiz‐Zaldibar et al, 2021). It has guided this study in exploring the implementation process and the evaluation of the preliminary efficacy and feasibility of the program, which will allow for the improvement and replication of the intervention in future large‐scale trials (Craig et al, 2008).…”

Parenting sense of competence and its predictors among primiparous women: a longitudinal study in China

“…It is difficult for mothers with lower levels of sense of competence in parenting to adapt to the maternal role or to overcome parenting stress. These mothers are more prone to negative emotions such as anxiety and depression, which affect maternal physical and mental recovery and the healthy development of infants [ 9 , 10 ]. In contrast, mothers with higher levels of parenting sense of competence are able to complete the transition to motherhood more quickly, and they are more likely to adopt positive strategies to address challenging parenting tasks, such as toilet-training, caring for a crying or sick infant, and remediating infant’s behavioural problems, which can lead to improved maternal and infant health and well-being [ 11 , 12 ].…”