Group‐based parent training programmes for improving parental psychosocial health

Jane Barlow,Nadja Smailagic,Cathy Bennett,Nick Huband,Verena Roloff

doi:10.4073/csr.2012.15

Abstract

Group‐based parent training programmes for improving parental psychosocial health

Highlights

Parental psychosocial health can have a significant effect on the parent-child relationship, with consequences for the later psychological health of the child
We found that group-based parenting programmes led to statistically significant short-term improvements in depression (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.28 to -0.07), anxiety (SMD -0.22, 95% confidence intervals (CI) -0.43 to -0.01), stress (SMD -0.29, 95% CI -0.42 to -0.15), anger (SMD -0.60, 95% CI -1.00 to 0.20), guilt (SMD -0.79, 95% CI -1.18 to -0.41), confidence (SMD -0.34, 95% CI -0.51 to -0.17) and satisfaction with the partner relationship (SMD -0.28, 95% CI -0.47 to -0.09)
More research is needed that explicitly addresses the benefits for fathers, and that examines the comparative effectiveness of different types of programme along with the mechanisms by which such programmes bring about improvements in parental psychosocial functioning

Summary

Introduction

Parental psychosocial health can have a significant effect on the parent-child relationship, with consequences for the later psychological health of the child. Parental psychosocial functioning is a significant factor influencing a range of aspects of children's development and wellbeing (see below). It consists of a wide range of components but those most frequently researched in terms of their impact on the wellbeing of children include parental mental health (that is depression and anxiety, parental confidence and parental conflict). The chronicity of the depression appears to be a significant predictor, with depression lasting throughout the first 12 months being associated with poorer cognitive and psychomotor development for both boys and girls compared with no evidence of impact for brief periods of depression (Cornish 2008)

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Discussion

Conclusion