Integrating emotion into behaviourally-based parenting programmes: can this enhance outcomes for child conduct problems?

<p>The current pilot study aimed to integrate emotion focused elements into an already well-established parenting programme in the hope of improving outcomes for children with conduct problems (CPs). Thirty-six parents of children with conduct problems (aged 3-7 years) were randomly allocated to two versions of the Triple P parenting programme; standard Group Triple P (GTP) or a new Emotion-Enhanced Group Triple P programme (EEGTP) that taught parents to engage in an elaborative, emotion-rich conversational style when discussing past events with their children. As expected, child CPs significantly reduced across both conditions post-intervention. Additionally, parents in the EEGTP condition were using more emotion coaching statements with their children. However, these differences did not translate to changes in children’s emotion knowledge and further behavioural improvements. Theoretical implications of these findings, explanations reflecting on the nature by which emotion knowledge develops over time, and recommendations for future studies are discussed.</p>

Integrating emotion into behaviourally-based parenting programmes: can this enhance outcomes for child conduct problems?

<p>The current pilot study aimed to integrate emotion focused elements into an already well-established parenting programme in the hope of improving outcomes for children with conduct problems (CPs). Thirty-six parents of children with conduct problems (aged 3-7 years) were randomly allocated to two versions of the Triple P parenting programme; standard Group Triple P (GTP) or a new Emotion-Enhanced Group Triple P programme (EEGTP) that taught parents to engage in an elaborative, emotion-rich conversational style when discussing past events with their children. As expected, child CPs significantly reduced across both conditions post-intervention. Additionally, parents in the EEGTP condition were using more emotion coaching statements with their children. However, these differences did not translate to changes in children’s emotion knowledge and further behavioural improvements. Theoretical implications of these findings, explanations reflecting on the nature by which emotion knowledge develops over time, and recommendations for future studies are discussed.</p>

Evaluating the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of the ‘strengthening families, strengthening communities’ group-based parenting programme: study protocol and initial insights

Background Up to 20% of UK children experience socio-emotional difficulties which can have serious implications for themselves, their families and society. Stark socioeconomic and ethnic inequalities in children’s well-being exist. Supporting parents to develop effective parenting skills is an important preventive strategy in reducing inequalities. Parenting interventions have been developed, which aim to reduce the severity and impact of these difficulties. However, most parenting interventions in the UK focus on early childhood (0–10 years) and often fail to engage families from ethnic minority groups and those living in poverty. Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities (SFSC) is a parenting programme designed by the Race Equality Foundation, which aims to address this gap. Evidence from preliminary studies is encouraging, but no randomised controlled trials have been undertaken so far. Methods/design The TOGETHER study is a multi-centre, waiting list controlled, randomised trial, which aims to test the effectiveness of SFSC in families with children aged 3–18 across seven urban areas in England with ethnically and socially diverse populations. The primary outcome is parental mental well-being (assessed by the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale). Secondary outcomes include child socio-emotional well-being, parenting practices, family relationships, self-efficacy, quality of life, and community engagement. Outcomes are assessed at baseline, post intervention, three- and six-months post intervention. Cost effectiveness will be estimated using a cost-utility analysis and cost-consequences analysis. The study is conducted in two stages. Stage 1 comprised a 6-month internal pilot to determine the feasibility of the trial. A set of progression criteria were developed to determine whether the stage 2 main trial should proceed. An embedded process evaluation will assess the fidelity and acceptability of the intervention. Discussion In this paper we provide details of the study protocol for this trial. We also describe challenges to implementing the protocol and how these were addressed. Once completed, if beneficial effects on both parental and child outcomes are found, the impact, both immediate and longer term, are potentially significant. As the intervention focuses on supporting families living in poverty and those from minority ethnic communities, the intervention should also ultimately have a beneficial impact on reducing health inequalities. Trial registration Prospectively registered Randomised Controlled Trial ISRCTN15194500.

“Sometimes I think my frustration is the real issue”: A qualitative study of parents’ experiences of transformation after a parenting programme

Introduction Parenting programmes help to alleviate conduct problems in children, but ensuring that all parents feel supported to attend, complete and learn from these programmes has proven difficult. Parents can feel overwhelmed and struggle to change their parenting. This article aims to inform the future refinement of parenting programmes by examining parents’ narratives of how programmes motivated them to change and enabled them to put changes into practice. Method and results Forty-two parents, most of whom had attended Incredible Years group sessions, were interviewed about their views and experiences of parenting programmes that focused on positive parenting practices. Analysis of interview transcripts drew on thematic approaches. Parents perceived that parenting programmes helped them to better understand their child and themselves and to let go of anxieties surrounding their child’s behaviour. Better understanding included greater awareness of emotions and of behaviours their child could and could not control. Parents believed this awareness helped them to change the ways that they interacted with their child, which, in turn, helped them and their child to feel calmer. With greater understanding and calmness parents believed they became more able to see for themselves the changes that they could make in their parenting and everyday lives, and to feel more confident in putting these into practice. Discussion By supporting parents to reflect on their own and their child’s situation, parents perceived that programmes enabled them to improve interactions with their children without getting stuck in self-blame or feeling overwhelmed. Parents of children whose behaviour remained challenging believed that programmes led to beneficial changes in the way they felt about their child’s behaviours. Enhanced support for reflection by parents could potentially help more families to benefit from parenting programmes.

Impact of a culturally tailored parenting programme on the mental health of Somali parents and children living in Sweden: a longitudinal cohort study

ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the long-term impact (3-year follow-up) of a culturally tailored parenting support programme (Ladnaan) on the mental health of Somali-born parents and their children living in Sweden.MethodsIn this longitudinal cohort study, Somali-born parents with children aged 11–16 were followed up 3 years after they had participated in the Ladnaan intervention. The Ladnaan intervention comprises two main components: societal information and the Connect parenting programme delivered using a culturally sensitive approach. It consists of 12 weekly group-based sessions each lasting 1–2 hours. The primary outcome was improved mental health in children, as measured by the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL). The secondary outcome was improved mental health in parents, as measured by the General Health Questionnaire-12. Data were collected from the parent’s perspective.ResultsOf the 60 parents who were originally offered the intervention, 51 were included in this long-term follow-up. The one-way repeated measures (baseline to the 3-year follow-up) analysis of variance for the CBCL confirmed maintenance of all the treatment gains for children: total problem scores (95% CI 11.49 to 18.00, d=1.57), and externalising problems (95% CI 2.48 to 5.83, d=0.86). Similar results were observed for the parents’ mental health (95% CI 0.40 to 3.11, d=0.46).ConclusionPositive changes in the mental health of Somali-born parents and their children were maintained 3 years after they had participated in a parenting support programme that was culturally tailored and specifically designed to address their needs. Our findings highlight the long-term potential benefits of these programmes in tackling mental health issues in immigrant families.Trial registration numberNCT02114593.