Towards a public health approach to parenting programmes for parents of adolescents

Parenting in African American families: Profiles of general and culturally specific dimensions of parent-adolescent relationships during late adolescence

Developmental and parenting frameworks suggest that factors at the individual-level and multiple levels of adolescents' contexts are important determinants of how African American parents prepare their children to live in a racially stratified society. Using a person-centered approach, this study explored heterogeneity in profiles of African American parent-adolescent relationships (PARs) using indicators of parent-reported ethnic-racial socialization (cultural socialization, preparation for bias), general parenting practices (autonomy support, monitoring, behavioral control), and relationship quality (warmth, communication, conflict). We also examined how adolescents' characteristics, parents' personal and psychological resources, and contextual sources of stress and support contributed to profile membership. Data were from the Maryland Adolescent Development in Context Study (1991-2000) and consisted of 589 African American caregiver-adolescent dyads (caregivers: 89% female; 57.2% married; adolescents: 50.7% female; Mage = 17, SD = 0.64, range = 15-19 years old). Latent profile analysis revealed four profiles: (a) No-Nonsense High Socializers, (b) Indulgent Average Socializers, (c) Unengaged Silent Socializers, and (d) Authoritative Cultural Socializers. Adolescent characteristics (gender, depression, and problem behavior), parents' personal and psychological resources (parenting self-efficacy, centrality, private regard, and depression), and contextual sources of stress and support (stress: economic hardship, family stress, neighborhood disadvantage and support: marital status, family cohesion, family organization) were correlated with profile membership. Findings suggest that variability in African American PARs is shaped by an extensive set of individual and contextual factors related to adolescents and the family and neighborhood context. These findings have important implications for future research and how to target multiple potential levers for change in African American parenting practice.

Triple-P: Interaction of mother-adolescent with intellectual and developmental disability

This study aimed to investigate the effect of a Positive Parenting Program (Triple-P) on the interaction of the mother-adolescent with intellectual disability. The pre-test and post-test randomized experimental design was used for this research. Thirty-four mothers of adolescents with intellectual disability took part in the present research and were assigned to experimental and control groups, each comprised of 17 people. The experimental group took part in an 8-session Triple-P and each session lasted 75 minutes, but the control group did not participate in this intervention. The data were analyzed using MANCOVA. The findings revealed that Triple-P intervention significantly influenced dependency, closeness, conflict, and positive interaction between the mother and the child with intellectual disability. The present study emphasized that Triple-P will improve the interaction of mother-adolescent with intellectual disability; therefore, Triple-P is a useful intervention.

Recruitment and Retention of Parents of Adolescents in a Text Messaging Trial (MyTeen): Secondary Analysis From a Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Parenting programs are well established as an effective strategy for enhancing both parenting skills and the well-being of the child. However, recruitment for family programs in clinical and nonclinical settings remains low.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to describe the recruitment and retention methods used in a text messaging program (MyTeen) trial for parents of adolescents (10-15 years) and identify key lessons learned. We aim to provide insights and direction for researchers who seek to recruit parents and build on the limited literature on recruitment and retention strategies for parenting program trials.

METHODS

A recruitment plan was developed, monitored, and modified as needed throughout the course of the project. Strategies to facilitate recruitment were identified (eg, program content and recruitment material, staff characteristics, and study procedures). Traditional and web-based recruitment strategies were used.

RESULTS

Over a 5-month period, 319 parents or caregivers expressed interest in our study, of which 221 agreed to participate in the study, exceeding our recruitment target of 214 participants. Attrition was low at the 1-month (4.5% overall; intervention group: n=5, 4.6%; control group: n=5, 4.5%) and 3-month follow-ups (9% overall; intervention group: n=10, 9.2%; control group: n=10, 8.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of web-based recruitment strategies appeared to be most effective for recruiting and retaining parents in a text-messaging program trial. However, we encountered recruitment challenges (ie, underrepresentation of ethnic minority groups and fathers) similar to those reported in the literature. Therefore, efforts to engage ethnic minorities and fathers are needed.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12618000117213; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=374307.

Adolescent-Parent Communication on Sexual and Reproductive Health issues in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Adolescent-parent sexual communication is an effective strategy to make healthy decisions, delay and protect from risky behavior. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize and estimate the level of adolescent- parent communication on sexual and reproductive health issues in Ethiopia.

Methods

Cross-sectional studies were systematically searched using databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library and gray literature. Information was extracted using a standardized form of JBI. Data were analyzed using the 'meta' packages of the Stata software (version 11.0). I-squared statistic was applied to check the heterogeneity of studies. Funnel plot and Egger's test were used to check for publication bias. P-value <0.05 on the Egger test was considered indicative of statistically significant publication bias.

Results

A total of 359 articles were identified, of which 19 were eligible for meta-analysis. Adolescent-parent communications on SRH issues were significantly reported within the range of 25.3% to 36.9% and more preferred to discuss with their friends. The overall pooled level of adolescent parent communication was 40.70 (95%CI: 34.26-47.15). Adolescents who lived in urban areas, having good knowledge of SRH issues, adolescents who agreed on the importance of discussion and adolescents who ever had sexual intercourse were more likely to discuss SRH issues with their parents.

Conclusion

The overall pooled level of adolescent-parent communication was 40.70%, and also adolescent-parent communications were dominantly reported with the ranges of 25.3% to 36.9%. Being urban dweller, being knowledgeable, and being agreed on the importance of discussion were significantly associated with adolescent-parent communication. Cultural taboo, shame and lack of communication skills were reasons that hindered communication between parents and adolescents. Therefore, program implementers should work to increase adolescent-parent communication.

How can healthcare professionals provide guidance and support to parents of adolescents? Results from a primary care-based study

BACKGROUND

This study explored the rewards and difficulties of raising an adolescent and investigated parents' level of interest in receiving guidance from healthcare providers on parenting and adolescent health topics. Additionally, this study investigated whether parents were interested in parenting programs in primary care and explored methods in which parents want to receive guidance.

METHODS

Parents of adolescents (ages 12-18) who attended an outpatient pediatric clinic with their adolescent were contacted by telephone and completed a short telephone survey. Parents were asked open-ended questions regarding the rewards and difficulties of parenting and rated how important it was to receive guidance from a healthcare provider on certain parenting and health topics. Additionally, parents reported their level of interest in a parenting program in primary care and rated how they would like to receive guidance.

RESULTS

Our final sample included 104 parents, 87% of whom were interested in a parenting program within primary care. A variety of parenting rewards and difficulties were associated with raising an adolescent. From the list of parenting topics, communication was rated very important to receive guidance on (65%), followed by conflict management (50%). Of health topics, parents were primarily interested in receiving guidance on sex (77%), mental health (75%), and alcohol and drugs (74%). Parents in the study wanted to receive guidance from a pediatrician or through written literature.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study finds that parents identify several rewarding and difficult aspects associated with raising an adolescent and are open to receiving guidance on a range of parenting topics in a variety of formats through primary care settings. Incorporating such education into healthcare visits could improve parents' knowledge. Healthcare providers are encouraged to consider how best to provide parenting support during this important developmental time period.

Efficacy of a Primary Care-Based Intervention to Promote Parent-Teen Communication and Well-Being: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of a primary care-based, parent-directed intervention on changes in parent-teen communication, parental beliefs about adolescents, parent and adolescent well-being, adolescent distress, and adolescent positive affect from baseline to 2-month follow-up.

STUDY DESIGN

In this randomized controlled trial, 120 adolescents (13-15 years of age) scheduled for well visits and their parents were randomized to the strength intervention or control group. The intervention included a booklet highlighting 3 key messages about adolescence, instructions to have a discussion with their teen about each other's strengths, and clinician endorsement. Outcomes were assessed before the well visit and 2 months later.

RESULTS

Adolescents were 61% female and 65% black. Parents were primarily female (97%); 72% had a 4-year degree or higher. The intervention had a positive impact on adolescent-reported open communication among adolescents with baseline low open communication scores (B = 3.55; P = .005; 95% CI, 1.07-6.03). Adolescents in the intervention group reported a decrease in distress (-1.54 vs 3.78; P = .05; partial eta squared [η²] = 0.038) and increase in positive affect (1.30 vs -3.64; P = .05; η² = 0.04) compared with control group adolescents. The intervention did not affect parent-reported communication, parental beliefs, or adolescent well-being. Control parents demonstrated a marginal increase in well-being, whereas intervention parents did not (0.82 vs -0.18; P = .07; η² = 0.029).

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the potential impact of primary care-based, universal, low-intensity interventions targeting parents of adolescents on parent-teen communication and important adolescent health outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03496155.

Development of MyTeen Text Messaging Program to Support Parents of Adolescents: Qualitative Study

Background

Parents play an important role in the lives of adolescents, and supporting and addressing the needs of families continue to be the focus of many researchers and policy makers. Mobile health interventions have great potential for supporting parents at a population level because of their broad reach and convenience. However, limited evidence exists for such interventions for parents of adolescents. This study reports on the formative work conducted with parents and/or primary caregivers to identify their needs and preferences for the development of MyTeen—an SMS text messaging program on promoting parental competence and mental health literacy for parents of adolescents (aged 10-15 years).

Objective

The aim of this qualitative study was to explore parents and/or primary caregivers’ perspectives around youth well-being, parenting, and parenting support and their input on the development of MyTeen SMS text messaging parenting intervention.

Methods

A total of 5 focus groups (n=45) were conducted with parents or primary caregivers of adolescents aged 10 to 15 years between October and December 2017 in New Zealand. A semistructured interview guideline and prompts were used. Data were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results

Participants were concerned about youth mental health (ie, stigma and increasing demand on adolescents), and a number of parenting challenges (ie, social expectations, time, impact of technology, changes in family communication pattern, and recognizing and talking about mental health issues) were noted. Importantly, participants reported the lack of services and support available for families, and many were not aware of services for parents themselves. A number of recommendations were given on the style, content, and frequency of developing the text messaging program.

Conclusions

Findings from this qualitative work informed the development of MyTeen, an SMS text messaging program designed to increase parental competence and improve mental health literacy for parents of adolescents.

The effect of positive parenting program on mental health in mothers of children with intellectual disability

The aim of this research was to examine the effectiveness of positive parenting program (Triple-P) on the mental health of mothers of children with intellectual disability (ID). This study was a quasi-experimental research with pretest, posttest design, and a control group. Thirty-six mothers of students with ID participated in this study and were divided into two groups (intervention group and control group). Each group consisted of 18 participants. The intervention group received a parent training program during 12 sessions, each session lasting for 80 min, while the control group did not receive any special training. Multivariate analysis of covariance test was applied to analyze the obtained data using SPSS software. The results of this study indicated that Triple-P had significant effect on the somatic symptoms, anxiety, depression, social dysfunction, and mental health of mothers of children with ID. As a result, this research emphasized that parenting skills training will improve the mental health of mothers of children with ID, and therefore, planning for Triple-P training is of particular importance.

Positive parenting improves multiple aspects of health and well-being in young adulthood

Aspects of positive parenting have previously been linked to better offspring health and well-being1,2, though often, individual outcomes have been examined separately. Examining multiple outcomes simultaneously, over multiple aspects of parenting, may provide a more holistic picture of the parenting-health dynamics3,4. Methodological limitations such as reverse causation-good childhood outcomes that make parenting easier-also remain a concern in many previous observational studies5. Here we examined the associations between multiple aspects of parenting (including parent-child relationship satisfaction concerning love, parental authoritativeness and family dinner frequency) and various subsequent offspring psychosocial, mental, behavioural and physical health and well-being outcomes. We analysed longitudinal data from the Growing Up Today Study 1 (N = 8,476, mean baseline age = 12.78 years) and Growing Up Today Study 2 (N = 5,453, mean baseline age = 17.75 years). Both parenting and health outcomes were based on offspring self-reports. The results suggest that greater relationship satisfaction was associated with greater emotional well-being, lower risk of mental illness, eating disorders, overweight or obesity and marijuana use. To a lesser extent, greater parental authoritativeness and regular family dinner were also associated with greater offspring emotional well-being, fewer depressive symptoms, lower risk of overeating and certain sexual behaviours. This study strengthens the evidence for a public health focus on improving parenting to promote population health and well-being.

Does optimal parenting style help offspring maintain healthy weight into mid-life?

An authoritative parenting style is generally associated with healthier body weight in children and adolescents. However, whether the protective effect of an authoritative style on offspring body weight may persist into adulthood has seldom been investigated. In this study we examined the longitudinal association between parenting style and body mass index (BMI) change in mid-life. Longitudinal data from the Midlife in the United States Study (N = 3929) were analyzed using generalized estimating equations, adjusting for a range of relevant covariates. Parenting styles were assessed at phase I (1995-1996) using items measuring parental warmth and control, while BMI was assessed at phases I and II (2004-2006). Four parenting styles were derived following prior research: authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and uninvolved styles. Compared to an authoritative style, an authoritarian style was associated with 14% higher increase in the standardized BMI change score (β = 0.14, 95% confidence interval: 0.03, 0.26). While there was suggestive evidence that an uninvolved versus authoritative style might also be associated with greater BMI increase, we found no differences between a permissive and authoritative style. This study suggested that the protective effect of an authoritative parenting style on offspring body weight may persist well into mid-life, particularly as compared to the authoritarian style and possibly the uninvolved style. Such work may reinforce the importance of a public health focus on improving parenting practices and suggest the value of implementing parenting programs, as one strategy for increasing the likelihood that individuals can maintain healthy weight well into adulthood.

Sense of Mission and Subsequent Health and Well-Being Among Young Adults: An Outcome-Wide Analysis

Purpose in life is potentially a modifiable “health asset” that enhances health and well-being. However, the association between purpose and health in younger populations remains understudied. In this study, we prospectively examined an aspect of purpose in life—specifically having a sense of mission—and a wide range of outcomes related to psychosocial well-being, mental health, health behaviors, and physical health in young adults. Longitudinal data from the Growing Up Today Study (2007–2010 or 2007–2013, depending on outcome; mean baseline age = 22.97 years) were analyzed using generalized estimating equations. Sample sizes ranged from 6,323 to 7,463, depending on outcome. Bonferroni correction was used to correct for multiple testing. All models controlled for sociodemographic characteristics, religious service attendance, maternal attachment, and prior values of the outcome variables. Greater sense of mission was associated with greater psychological well-being (including life satisfaction, positive affect, self-esteem, emotional processing, and emotional expression), greater use of preventive health care, more volunteer activities, and possibly fewer depressive symptoms. However, there was little association with physical health or other behavioral outcomes. The formation of a sense of mission may provide a novel target for promoting multiple facets of psychological well-being, prosocial character, and possibly mental health among young adults.

The Role of Parent-Adolescent Relationships in the Development of (Pre)Hypertension in Young Adulthood in the U.S

BACKGROUND

Hypertension is a strong factor for stroke and coronary disease, and it has been found that 1 in 4 young adults are experiencing pre-hypertension in the United States This study was designed to examine the role of parent-adolescent relationships in the risk of developing (pre)hypertension in young adulthood, and to explore potential mediator(s).

METHODS

Our analysis was based on the data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, Wave 1 (aged 13-18) and Wave 4 (aged 25-32) (N = 3,350). Three parent-adolescent relationships were extracted from a factor analysis, and four different specifications of (pre)hypertension were generated and tested individually. We applied generalised structural equation modelling to perform path analysis estimations.

RESULTS

We found that mother-reported relationship quality had both a direct and an indirect effect via alcohol consumption, on the likelihood of (pre)hypertension in young adulthood. The path from relationship quality to (pre)hypertension via alcohol consumption was consistent with three different specifications of hypertension (pre-hypertension, clinical/experienced hypertension, and experienced hypertension), suggesting the path relation was evident. Our study also showed that both relationship quality and adolescent-reported maternal warmth/responsiveness were associated with the risk of clinical/experienced hypertension via mental health problems. Parental control was found to have a direct and protective effect on clinical/experienced hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS

Early family relationships in adolescence predict (pre)hypertension in young adulthood. Initiatives related to parent-adolescent relationships, and the associated effects on later alcohol consumption and mental health problems, may have a long implication on the risk of (pre)hypertension in adulthood.

Parental warmth and flourishing in mid-life

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the longitudinal association between parental warmth and offspring flourishing in mid-life. We also considered associations between parental warmth and a number of mental health problems and adverse health behavioral outcomes.

METHOD

Longitudinal data from the Midlife in the United States Study (N = 3,929, mean baseline age = 47.4 years) were analyzed using generalized estimating equations. Parental warmth in childhood was recalled at phase I (1995-1996), while flourishing and other outcomes were self-reported at phase II (2004-2006). Following an approach developed by Keyes, flourishing was operationalized as a combined measure incorporating assessments of three aspects of well-being, including emotional, psychological, and social well-being.

RESULTS

The results suggest that parental warmth was positively associated with the continuous score of flourishing (B = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.18, 0.25). The association was not specific to any particular component (emotional, psychological, or social well-being) or subdomain of flourishing. Parental warmth was also inversely associated with several adverse health behavior outcomes such as drug use and smoking.

CONCLUSIONS

Parental warmth in childhood may help promote offspring functioning across multiple domains of well-being in mid-life. The findings help to strengthen the call for a public health focus on the importance of parenting for outcomes beyond childhood and well into adulthood, and suggest the value of targeting parenting practices for prevention and intervention strategies to improve population health and well-being.

Universal parental support for parents of adolescents: Who wants municipality-based parental support and in what form?

Parenting a child through adolescence can be a challenge for many parents; adolescents go through notable developmental, physical, and psychological changes that affect the relationships around them. Most parents find parental support during these years important. These young people's relationships with their parents are important to their mental health, but although parental support is universally available to parents of younger children, it is still scarce for parents of adolescents. The aim of this study was to explore what factors are associated with interest in universal parental support through telephone interviews and questionnaires with 223 parents of 13- to 17-year-olds. Parents' interest in parental support was linked to their own anxious mood, their lower perceived parental capacity, their perception of the child as having psychiatric problems, the parents' perception of their adolescents' openness about things and their perception of the adolescent's overall difficulties in daily life due to psychiatric symptoms. The results show that lighter forms of support such as lectures or seminars were more appealing to parents with higher social status. Offering community-based individual counseling and leader-led parent training groups therefore has the potential to reach parents with difficulties more equally, while offering support only through lectures and seminars could increase the inequality between parents in different social situations.

Enhancing Initial Parental Engagement in Interventions for Parents of Young Children: A Systematic Review of Experimental Studies

Low rates of participation in parenting interventions may undermine their effectiveness. Although a wide range of strategies to engage parents in interventions are described in the literature, little is known about which engagement strategies are most effective in enhancing parental engagement. This systematic review explores effective engagement strategies to encourage initial parental engagement (recruitment, enrolment, and first attendance) in parenting interventions for parents of children aged 2-8 years old. This review was conducted based on the guidelines of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions (Higgins and Green 2011) and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Moher et al. 2009). Electronic systematic searches from January 1996 to August 2017 were conducted in PsycINFO, Scopus, ProQuest Social Sciences Journals, CINAHL, and PubMed databases. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria representing 1952 parents from four different countries. Of the engagement strategies tested in included studies (monetary incentive, setting, testimonial, advertisement, and engagement package), three strategies (advertisement, incentive, and engagement package) showed a significant effect on a stage of engagement, but none across stages. The low methodological quality of the selected studies limits their generalisability and thus provides limited evidence regarding effective engagement strategies to increase recruitment, enrolment, and first attendance rates in parenting interventions. There is a need for further, more methodologically rigorous, research evidence regarding how to engage parents more effectively in the early stages of parenting interventions.

Parenting programs during adolescence: Outcomes from universal and targeted interventions offered in real-world settings

The aim of this naturalistic study was to explore short and long-term outcomes of five different group-based parenting programs offered to parents of 10 to 17-year-olds. Three hundred and fifteen parents (277 mothers and 38 fathers) who had enrolled in a parenting program (universal: Active Parenting, COPE; Connect; targeted: COMET; Leadership training for parents of teenagers [LFT]) answered questionnaires at three measurement waves (baseline, post-measurement, and one-year follow-up). The questions concerned parenting style, parental mental health, family climate and adolescent mental health. Results revealed small to moderate changes in almost all outcome variables and in all parenting programs. Overall, parents in COMET reported the largest short and long-term changes. No substantial differences in change were seen between the other programs. The results support the general effectiveness of parenting programs for parents of adolescents.

Recruitment and Lessons Learned from a Community-Based Intervention Program: The Learning Families Project in Hong Kong

Background

Recruitment is central to any research project, and recruitment itself should be well documented and researched. We describe our recruitment efforts for a community-based research project-entitled the Learning Families Project-conducted in Hong Kong.

Methods

In collaboration with community stakeholders, residents from a public housing estate were recruited to participate in family programs aimed at enhancing family well-being. Various recruitment strategies were employed including the distribution of 19,200 leaflets, 688 posters, a banner, a kick-off ceremony, 10 promotion activities, 1,000 direct calls, word of mouth, 51 mobile counters, and 10 door-to-door visits. Drawing on field notes, research logs, short questionnaires, and focus group conducted with our community partners and residents, we describe and discuss our recruitment strategies, challenges, and lessons learned.

Results

Over a 9-month period, 980 participants were recruited and participated in our study, exceeding our recruitment goal (860 participants). Several observations were made including active recruitment strategies (i.e., door-to-door and mobile counter) being more effective than passive strategies (i.e., posters and leaflets); the importance of raising project awareness to facilitate recruitment; and the challenges encountered (i.e., burn-out and loss of motivation of staff, decreased community capacity in collaborating in research projects).

Conclusion

The lessons learned include the importance of engaging Chinese communities, utilizing a positive outreach approach, and setting realistic expectations. Although similar recruitment strategies have been reported the West, a number of cultural differences should be taken into account when working with Chinese population. Further research is needed to examine the effectiveness of tailoring recruitment strategies to various populations.

Developing tailored positive parenting messages for a clinic-based communication programme

BACKGROUND

Health care providers fill a central role in the prevention of both child abuse and neglect (CA/N) and unintentional childhood injury. Health communication interventions hold promise for promoting attitudes and behaviours among parents that increase positive parenting practices, which may be linked to decreased rates of intentional and unintentional childhood injuries. This manuscript describes the development of 'RISE Up', an ambulatory clinic-based childhood injury prevention programme that provides tailored, injury prevention print materials to parents of children ages 0-5.

METHODS

Fifteen semi-structured key informant interviews were conducted with clinic healthcare providers and staff to develop communication strategies and materials for caregivers. Cognitive response testing was then conducted with 20 caregivers of the priority population to assess all materials. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed using thematic coding methods.

RESULTS

Formative research revealed that health care providers and caregivers were very responsive to messages and materials. Health care providers reported that abuse and neglect were particularly relevant to their patients and noted several benefits to implementing the RISE Up programme in a health care setting. Caregivers generally found messages on reducing the risks of injuries, as well as the graphics displayed in the RISE Up programme to be helpful.

CONCLUSIONS

Addressing the common determinants of both intentional and unintentional childhood injury through customized print materials may be a useful component of comprehensive prevention efforts to address childhood injury risk with greater impact. Providers and parents responded favourably to this communication strategy.

A systematic review of community-based parenting interventions for adolescents with challenging behaviours

Parenting skills training is an established means of treating challenging behaviours among young children, but there has been limited research on its efficacy when used to treat challenging adolescent behaviour. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of community-based parenting interventions designed for families with adolescents, as judged in terms of increased knowledge and skills among parents, improvements in adolescent behaviour, and program feasibility within community settings. Results indicated that intervention group parents typically made greater gains than did control group parents on measures of good parenting, with positive flow-on effects to some aspects of challenging adolescent behaviours. Limited evidence suggests that group and individual intervention formats may be equally effective and that there is no advantage to the participation of the target adolescent in the intervention.

Parental and practitioner perspectives on raising an adolescent with a disability: a focus group study

PURPOSE

To examine the challenges faced by parents of teenagers with a disability to determine the need for a tailored parenting program for this population.

METHOD

Focus groups were conducted with six parents and nine practitioners with experience supporting parents of teenagers with a disability.

RESULTS

An inductive thematic analysis revealed close agreement between parents and practitioners and eight understandable and relevant themes. The results indicated that parents have difficulty planning and facilitating transitions for their adolescent children, managing behavioural problems due to these problems being unique to this developmental period and because some of the parenting strategies that were useful when their children were younger were no longer applicable. High levels of stress and feelings of grief were also described.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that parents of adolescents with a developmental disability could benefit from a parenting program and that an existing evidence-based parenting program should be modified. Implications for program design for this population are discussed.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

Parents have difficulty supporting their teenagers' behaviour. Some parenting strategies that were useful for young children are no longer applicable. Parents may benefit from a parenting program tailored for teenagers.

Familias: Preparando la Nueva Generación: A Randomized Control Trial Testing the Effects on Positive Parenting Practices

OBJECTIVES

This article reports the effects of a culturally grounded parenting intervention to strengthen positive parenting practices.

METHOD

The intervention was designed and tested with primarily Mexican origin parents in a large urban setting of the southwestern United States using an ecodevelopmental approach. Parents (N = 393) were randomly assigned three treatment conditions: (1) a parenting and youth intervention, (2) a youth only intervention, or (3) a control group. A measurement model for positive parenting was first evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis, followed by structural equation modeling to estimate the effects of the intervention on positive parenting (i.e., baseline to follow-up).

RESULTS

As hypothesized, parents in the intervention group reported higher rates of positive parenting compared to parents in youth-only condition.

CONCLUSION

The results are promising and add to growing evidence that interventions tailored to the cultural characteristics and environments of parents and their children can strengthen positive parenting.