The Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Family Support across Europe: A Narrative Review

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the use of information and communication technology (ICT) to deliver parenting and mental health support services to families. This narrative review illustrates the diverse ways in which ICT is being used across Europe to provide family support to different populations. We distinguish between the use of ICT in professional-led and peer-led support and provide implementation examples from across Europe. We discuss the potential advantages and disadvantages of different ways of using ICT in family support and the main developments and challenges for the field more generally, guiding decision-making as to how to use ICT in family support, as well as critical reflections and future research on its merit.

Adaptations and staff experiences in delivering parenting programmes and other family support services in three community-based organisations in Cape Town, South Africa during the COVID pandemic

“…Barriers to digital delivery have also been identified in other projects examining remotely delivered family programmes (Barnett et al, 2021;Canário et al, 2022;Franz et al, 2021). One study noted differences in adapting to remote delivery between settings in USA and South Africa.…”

“…These findings support the view that digital interventions can help reach more families (Calam et al, 2008). The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of remote delivery (Canário et al, 2022;Cluver et al, 2020;Lachman et al, in submission) and will perhaps be a critical juncture for wider use of digital technology in working with families in the future (Itzhaki-Braun, 2021). However, as our research highlights, there are barriers to remote delivery of family programmes in terms of sufficient access and relationship-building.…”

Context, Process, and Participant Response in the Implementation of Family Support Programmes in Spain

“…One strength of the process dimension was that most programmes provided attendance rates and kept programme adaptations at minimum, preserving their fidelity (Gottfredson et al, 2015). One weakness was that the mode of delivery was mainly face-to-face with less use of the mixed modality (face to face and online), which means that information and communication technologies (ICT) were underused in family services, as it was suggested in a recent narrative review (Canário et al, 2022). But this may have changed due to the recent pandemic as it has already happened in family therapy (Lebow, 2021).…”

Efficacy of technology‐based parenting programmes in reducing behaviour problems: An analysis of systematic reviews and meta‐analyses

“…All of these variables are affected by the loss of face‐to‐face interactions, posing new challenges. Conversely, technology‐based programmes allow for self‐assessment, perhaps in a more continuous way than face‐to‐face modes (Canário et al, 2022; Corralejo & Domenech, 2018). Regarding effectiveness, Allen et al (2016) stated that the only strong evidence is found in alcohol use prevention programmes.…”