Abstract
This study describes the effectiveness of the “Father 3A (Asih Asuh Anak)” program to support online parenting to improve family mental health. Sixty participants were involved, namely fathers of children and adolescents aged 7-18 years in densely populated areas. Information was sent as text messages via Short Message Service (SMS) or WhatsApp (WA). This study was conducted to solve the community’s need for online tools that support family mental health. The method of the “Ayah 3A” program was sending some messages about parent-child attachments, co-parenting, and daily self-care which were sent at a scheduled time. The shared material was adapted from theoretical concepts and previous studies’ findings. Besides provided online material, face-to-face meetings were also held for consultation sessions with psychologists. The effectiveness of this program was evaluated by a questionnaire of parenting skills and mental health. Meanwhile, evaluation of program implementation showed that 86% of the whole sample (n = 52) returned post-intervention questionnaires, and 66% of subjects followed this program completely. The results revealed that it was improving in knowledge and skill of parenting (p = 0.035; ES = 3.86) and mental health (p = 0.012; ES = 1.85). Besides, feedback evaluation from participants both quantitative and qualitative, regarding this program was quite effective.
Highlights
This research begins with the gap between the need for parents to have a parental role in parenting and parenting competencies so that they can create mental health in the family
This study describes the effectiveness of the “Father 3A (Asih Asuh Anak)” program to support online parenting to improve family mental health
The method of the “Ayah 3A” program was sending some messages about parent-child attachments, co-parenting, and daily self-care which were sent at a scheduled time
Summary
This research begins with the gap between the need for parents to have a parental role in parenting and parenting competencies so that they can create mental health in the family. This problem can be overcome by providing parenting support as an intervention that helps parents improve their knowledge and skills in parenting. Based on this phenomenon, researchers are encouraged to conduct family mental health research by utilizing science and technology as a medium to provide interventions. The literature on family mental health suggests that a father’s mental condition affects children’s risk of behavioral and emotional disorders
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
