Do online parenting programs create change?: A meta-analysis.

Abstract

With online education and programs becoming increasingly common, it is necessary to examine their effectiveness. In this study, we conduct a meta-analysis of online parenting programs. In this meta-analysis, we included 28 studies yielding 127 effect sizes examining 15 outcome variables. We found that online parenting programs had the strongest effects on increasing positive parenting and parents' encouragement. We also found significant effects of reducing negative parent-child interactions, child problem behaviors, negative discipline strategies, parenting conflicts, parent stress, child anxiety, parent anger, and parent depression. Results also revealed programs' significant effects on increasing parent confidence, positive child behavior and parenting satisfaction. Comparisons of programs that included clinical support (meaning programs through which participants had access to content experts, therapists, or content specialists in conjunction with the online program) versus programs that only contained online components, revealed no significant differences in 6 program outcomes between programs with and without clinical support. Comparisons of programs provided to targeted populations versus general populations revealed no significant differences in four program outcomes between populations. Results suggest that online parenting programs can provide benefits for parents who may not be able to access in-person resources. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).