Effectiveness of Parent-Adolescent Communication (PAC) Programme: Helping Parents to Respond to Adolescent Drugs Use

Abstract

It is acknowledged that parent-adolescent communication training programmes around alcohol and other drugs appear to be effective in assisting parents to respond to the demands place on them by the increased number of adolescents using and abusing drugs and related harms. In response to the need identified by Rubavu Youth Friendly Center (RYFC), for research into the role of parent in addressing drugs among the adolescents, this study investigated parent and adolescent perceptions of effectiveness of parent-adolescent communication training programme offered by Imbuto Foundation in collaboration with RYFC in Rubavu district, Rwanda to equip them to deal with issues arising from having children at risk of drugs abuse in their families. A qualitative research design was followed to purposively select one site of PAC evaluation who had attended the PAC training to participate in focus groups to explore the phenomenon of parenting practices including communicating about drugs. The findings that emerged from the thematic data analysis provided supportive evidence that current parenting approaches in this regard are not perceived to be effective. The results are used to suggest guidelines for alternative approach to the forms of parent-adolescent communication (PAC) training that is more likely to be sustainable, culturally appropriate and suited to the context.