Dissemination and Adoption of Efficacious Parenting Intervention Programs

Abstract

In addition to a study of drug resistant skills amongunderstudied adolescents in Mexico, this issueincludes three articles on parenting interventionprograms. These studies go beyond whether or notparenting programs work to include specific factorsrelated to their efficacy. Together, this compilation ofarticles spans geography (Australia, Europe, and theUnited States), settings (community, daycare centers,and primary healthcare facilities), and interventions(Triple P: Positive Parenting Program and PACE:Parenting our Children to Excellence). In addition,these studies use a range of state-of-the-art analytictechniques and methodology including HierarchalLinear Modeling, Structural Equation Modeling, andtechnique utilization.Through research and clinical evidence, we knowhow critically important parenting practices are in thedevelopment of a healthy child. Children who growup in families characterized by positive affectiverelationships where adaptive behaviors are supportedand maladaptive behaviors are discouraged generallyexhibit better psychosocial outcomes than youthraised in less functional households. We also knowthat parenting intervention programs can and do work(Eyeberg et al. 2008; Sandler et al. 2011). Theirshort- and long-term benefits include decreased riskof child abuse and participation in risky behaviors,improved academic performance, and improvedmental health, to name a few. However, like manyefficacious programs designed to promote publichealth, dissemination, adoption, and utilizationremain a struggle. Moreover, increased understandingof how parenting prevention programs affect change,who they work for, and what conditions are optimalfor implementation would advance the field.Begal and Dumas examine the efficacy of a group-administered behavioral intervention program (i.e.,PACE) administered to parents of preschoolersrecruited from daycare centers. Their hypothesis thathigher levels of parental engagement in the interven-tion (i.e., session attendance, quality participation)would predict better parent and child outcomes isgenerally supported. Specifically, more activelyengaged parents evidenced less stress and moresatisfactionthanlessengagedparents.Further,activelyengaged high-risk parents had less stress, more satis-faction, and a lower risk of child abuse potential thantheir less engaged high-risk counterparts.The remaining two studies in this issue examinefactors related to the uptake of and engagement inanother behaviorally oriented parenting interventionprogram (i.e., Triple P: Positive Parenting Program).Because of the low participation and high attritionrates of community-based parent training programs,Eisner and Meidert sought to examine factorsimportant to participation at each stage of engage-ment. Interestingly, they found that parents who were