Lindsay, Geoff and Totsika, Vasiliki (2017) The effectiveness of universal parenting programmes : the CANparent trial. BMC Psychology, 5 . 35. doi:10.1186/s40359-017-0204-1 ISSN 2050-7283.

Preview

PDF WRAP-effectivenessuniversal-parenting-programmes-Lindsay-2017.pdf - Published Version - Requires a PDF viewer. Available under License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. Download (906Kb) | Preview

Request Changes to record.

Abstract

Background: There is substantial evidence for the efficacy and effectiveness of targeted parenting programmes but much less evidence regarding universal parenting programmes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the CANparent Trial of 12 universal parenting programmes, which were made available to parents of all children aged 0-6 years in three local authorities in England. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of universal parenting programmes on this scale.

Methods: Parents accessed a voucher, value £100, to attend an accredited programme of parenting classes. Parents completed measures of their mental well-being, parenting efficacy, parenting satisfaction, and parenting stress, at pre- and post-course. Comparative data were derived from a sample of non-participant parents in 16 local authorities not providing CANparent programmes. A quasi-experimental design was adopted following estimation of propensity scores to balance the two groups on socio-demographic variables.

Results: Following their programme, changes in parenting stress were small and nonsignificant (Cohen’s d frequency 0.07; intensity, 0.17). Participating parents showed significantly greater improvements than the comparison group for parenting efficacy (0.89) but not parenting satisfaction (-0.01). Mental well-being improved from 0.29 SD below the national norm to the national norm after the course. Parents were overwhelmingly positive about their course (88-94%) but this was lower for improvement in their relationship with their child (74%) and being a better parent (76%).

Conclusions: The CANparent Trial demonstrated that universal parenting programmes can be effective in improving parents’ sense of parenting efficacy and mental well-being when delivered to the full range of parents in community settings. However, there was no evidence of a reduction in levels of parenting stress; nor was there a significant improvement in satisfaction with being a parent. This is the first study of its kind in the UK; although the results point to a population benefit, more research is needed to determine whether benefits can be maintained in the longer term and whether they will translate into better parenting practices.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal and Research (CEDAR) Faculty of Social Sciences > Centre for Education Studies (2013- )
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Parenting -- Great Britain, Parents -- Services for -- Great Britain -- Evaluation, Parent and child -- Great Britain, Child rearing -- Great Britain, Parenting -- Psychological aspects
Journal or Publication Title:	BMC Psychology
Publisher:	BioMed Central Ltd.
ISSN:	2050-7283
Official Date:	23 October 2017
Dates:	Date Event 23 October 2017 Published 9 October 2017 Accepted
Volume:	5
Article Number:	35
DOI:	10.1186/s40359-017-0204-1
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access (Creative Commons)
Date of first compliant deposit:	25 October 2017
Date of first compliant Open Access:	25 October 2017
Funder:	Great Britain. Department for Education
Grant number:	EOR/SBU/2011/073

Request changes or add full text files to a record

Repository staff actions (login required)

View Item

Downloads