Feasibility study of a preventive parenting program with mothers of children born preterm

Abstract

Preterm infants constitute a high-risk population for presenting emotional and behavioral problems and developmental dysregulation. Parenting preventive interventions can support mothers to act as co-regulators and prevent child behavior problems. The ACT – Raising Safe Kids Program is recommended to strengthen positive parenting practices. The present study aimed to examine the feasibility of the ACT Program in a target sample of mothers of children born preterm, comparing parenting practices and child behavior problems at pre- and post-intervention. The sample consisted of 30 mothers of 1- to 7- year - old children born preterm. The mothers answered the ACT and Parenting and Family Adjustment scales, and the Strengthen and Difficulties Questionnaire, in the pre- and post-intervention. The within-group comparison was performed. The results showed that, after the intervention, there was a significant improvement in parenting practices dimensions of communication, emotional/behavioral regulation, monitoring of electronic media, positive encouragement, and parental consistency and adjustment. Also, the coercive practices decreased in the post-intervention. Furthermore, there was a decrease in child behavior problems and improvement in the pro-social behavior, from pre- to post-intervention. In conclusion, the ACT showed the feasibility to improve positive parenting practices, enabling mothers to act as a co-regulator of the behavior of children born preterm.