Does self-directed and web-based support for parents enhance the effects of viewing a reality television series based on the Triple P-Positive Parenting Programme?

BACKGROUND This study investigated whether providing self-directed and web-based support for parents enhanced the effects of viewing a reality television series based on the Triple P - Positive Parenting Programme. METHOD Parents with a child aged 2 to 9 (N = 454) were randomly assigned to either a standard or enhanced intervention condition. In the standard television alone viewing condition, parents watched the six-episode weekly television series, 'Driving Mum and Dad Mad'. Parents in the enhanced television viewing condition received a self-help workbook, extra web support involving downloadable parenting tip sheets, audio and video streaming of positive parenting messages and email support, in addition to viewing the television series. RESULTS Parents in both conditions reported significant improvements in their child's disruptive behaviour and improvements in dysfunctional parenting practices. Effects were greater for the enhanced condition as seen on the ECBI, two of the three parenting indicators and overall programme satisfaction. However, no significant differences were seen on other measures, including parent affect indicators. The level of improvement was related to number of episodes watched, with greatest changes occurring in families who watched each episode. Improvements achieved at post-intervention by parents in both groups were maintained at six-month follow-up. Online tip sheets were frequently accessed; uptake of web-based resources was highest early in the series. CONCLUSIONS The value of combining self-help approaches, technology and media as part of a comprehensive public health approach to providing parenting support is discussed.

[1]  S. Eyberg,et al.  The standardization of an inventory of child conduct problem behaviors , 1980 .

[2]  M. Sanders.  Triple P-Positive Parenting Program: Towards an Empirically Validated Multilevel Parenting and Family Support Strategy for the Prevention of Behavior and Emotional Problems in Children , 1999, Clinical child and family psychology review.

[3]  M. Sanders,et al.  The relationship between maternal self-efficacy and parenting practices: implications for parent training. , 2005, Child: care, health and development.

[4]  G. Sedlar,et al.  Anger, Child Behavior, and Family Distress: Further Evaluation of the Parental Anger Inventory , 2001, Journal of Family Violence.

[5]  Matthew K Nock,et al.  Lifetime prevalence, correlates, and persistence of oppositional defiant disorder: results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. , 2007, Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines.

[6]  Lisa S. Wolff,et al.  The Parenting Scale: A measure of dysfunctional parenting in discipline situations. , 1993 .

[7]  P. McGrath,et al.  Predictors of parent training efficacy for child externalizing behavior problems--a meta-analytic review. , 2006, Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines.

[8]  P. Lovibond,et al.  Manual for the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. 2 , 1995 .

[9]  M. Sanders,et al.  The mass media and the prevention of child behavior problems: the evaluation of a television series to promote positive outcomes for parents and their children. , 2000, Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines.

[10]  M. Sanders,et al.  Self-Directed Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) for Mothers with Children at-Risk of Developing Conduct Problems , 2006, Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy.

[11]  Brad Lundahl,et al.  A meta-analysis of parent training: moderators and follow-up effects. , 2006, Clinical psychology review.

[12]  Martine B. Powell,et al.  The relationship of interparental conflict and global marital adjustment to aggression, anxiety, and immaturity in aggressive and nonclinic children , 1991, Journal of abnormal child psychology.

[13]  M. Sanders,et al.  The triple P-positive parenting program: a comparison of enhanced, standard, and self-directed behavioral family intervention for parents of children with early onset conduct problems. , 2000, Journal of consulting and clinical psychology.

[14]  J. Prochaska,et al.  Stages and processes of self-change of smoking: toward an integrative model of change. , 1983, Journal of consulting and clinical psychology.

[15]  G. Gilliam.  Parent training. , 1975, Health education.

[16]  M. Sanders,et al.  Self-administered behavioural family intervention for parents of toddlers: effectiveness and dissemination. , 2006, Behaviour research and therapy.

[17]  Robert W. Norton,et al.  Measuring marital quality, A critical look at the dependent variable , 1983 .

[18]  S. Noar,et al.  Does tailoring matter? Meta-analytic review of tailored print health behavior change interventions. , 2007, Psychological bulletin.

[19]  Sheryl Connell,et al.  Self-Directed Behavioral Family Intervention for Parents of Oppositional Children in Rural and Remote Areas , 1997, Behavior modification.

[20]  P. Lovibond,et al.  The structure of negative emotional states: comparison of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) with the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories. , 1995, Behaviour research and therapy.

[21]  M. Sanders,et al.  A Controlled Evaluation of an Enhanced Self-Directed Behavioural Family Intervention for Parents of Children With Conduct Problems in Rural and Remote Areas , 2006 .

[22]  L. Hedges,et al.  Statistical Methods for Meta-Analysis , 1987 .

[23]  D. Gordon.  Parent Training via CD-ROM: Using Technology to Disseminate Effective Prevention Practices , 2000, Journal of Primary Prevention.

[24]  A. Biglan,et al.  Behavioral Family Interventions for Improving Child-rearing: A Review of the Literature for Clinicians and Policy Makers , 1998, Clinical child and family psychology review.

[25]  S. Zubrick,et al.  Prevention of Child Behavior Problems Through Universal Implementation of a Group Behavioral Family Intervention , 2005, Prevention Science.

[26]  S. Eyberg,et al.  Conduct problem behavior: Standardization of a behavioral rating , 1983 .

[27]  S. Senn,et al.  Repeated measures in clinical trials: analysis using mean summary statistics and its implications for design. , 1994, Statistics in medicine.

[28]  J. D. Zimmerman.  A prosocial media strategy: "youth against violence: choose to de-fuse". , 1996, The American journal of orthopsychiatry.

[29]  M. Sanders,et al.  Maintenance of Treatment Gains: A Comparison of Enhanced, Standard, and Self-directed Triple P-Positive Parenting Program , 2007, Journal of abnormal child psychology.

[30]  A. Bellack,et al.  Global marital satisfaction versus marital adjustment: An empirical comparison of three measures. , 1994 .

[31]  M. Sanders,et al.  Practitioner's manual for primary care triple P , 1999 .

[32]  M. Sanders,et al.  Practitioner's manual for enhanced triple P , 1998 .