A South-to-South Cultural Adaptation of an Evidence-Based Parenting Program for Families in the Philippines.

Frances Gardner,Bernice Landoy Mamauag,Jamie M. Lachman,Catherine L. Ward,Liane Peña Alampay,Bernadette J. Madrid,Judy Hutchings

doi:10.1111/famp.12625

Abstract

Rates of child maltreatment are higher in low‐ and middle‐income countries due to risk factors such as social inequities, economic adversity, and sociocultural norms. Given the evidence showing the effectiveness of parenting interventions to prevent child maltreatment, this study embarked on a cultural adaptation of an evidence‐based parenting program with the eventual goal of integrating it within a nationwide conditional cash transfer program for low‐income Filipino parents with children aged 2–6 years. We document the systematic adaptation of the Parenting for Lifelong Health for Young Children program that was developed and tested in South Africa, for low‐resource Filipino families using the heuristic framework for the cultural adaptation of interventions. We underscore the merits of conducting a multistage top‐down and bottom‐up process that uses a participatory approach among cultural insiders and outsiders to develop a parenting intervention that reflects the contextual realities and cultural values of end users. The adapted program, Masayang Pamilya Para sa Batang Pilipino, is the product of a delicate and deliberate effort to balance Filipino childrearing goals and values with the scientific evidence on components of parenting interventions known to promote positive parenting and prevent child maltreatment.

Highlights

Rates of child maltreatment are higher in low- and middle-income countries due to risk factors such as social inequities, economic adversity, and sociocultural norms
Parenting interventions are especially important in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and other contexts of significant economic deprivation
We describe a South-to-South cultural adaptation process of an evidencebased parenting program in the Philippines that was originally developed and tested in South Africa to decrease the risk of child maltreatment and improve child well-being (Lachman, Sherr, et al, 2016; Ward et al, 2019)

Summary

Introduction

Rates of child maltreatment are higher in low- and middle-income countries due to risk factors such as social inequities, economic adversity, and sociocultural norms. Given the evidence showing the effectiveness of parenting interventions to prevent child maltreatment, this study embarked on a cultural adaptation of an evidence-based parenting program with the eventual goal of integrating it within a nationwide conditional cash transfer program for low-income Filipino parents with children aged 2–6 years. Such programs promote behavior change in caregivers and expand their repertoire of positive child behavior management skills via processes associated with social learning theory and principles from behavior therapy These skills, in turn, are maintained by the positive results that they see in their children’s behaviors (Sandler et al, 2011). One potential strategy to establish parenting interventions in LMICs is to culturally adapt evidence-based parenting principles and/or programs that were developed and tested elsewhere, mostly in high-income countries (HICs; Baumann, et al, 2015). Adaptations may be needed to integrate the program within a specific context to enhance acceptability and effectiveness, while maintaining fidelity to core program components (Castro, Barrera, & Martinez, 2004; Parra-Cardona et al, 2018)

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Results

Conclusion