Group-Based Parent Support During the Transition to Parenthood. Results From a Randomised Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: When parents believe in their ability to influence their children, the children are at lower risk of poor developmental outcome. For this reason, parents’ sense of competence is a common target in early parenting interventions. This study assessed whether parents’ sense of competence was enhanced by a universal and group-based parenting program. Methods: A total of 1701 families were enrolled and randomised to one of two conditions a) participation in Family Start up Program (FSP), currently implemented at large scale in Denmark, or b) Care as Usual (CAU). FSP aims to empower new parents through knowledge and network. CAU is the public pre- and postnatal care available to families in both conditions. Recruitment was conducted between November 24, 2014, and February 1, 2017 at Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, Denmark from all incoming pregnant women within the second largest Danish municipality. A total of 4313 families were assessed for eligibility. Data were analysed as intention-to-treat and with n= 1255 (74%) mothers and n=984 (60%) partners who responded at 10 months postpartum. Findings: When randomised to the FSP, 92% of the mothers and 94% of the partners received the intervention attending an average of 8.4 [SD 3∙4] and 7.9 [SD 3∙3] group meetings, respectively. The program evaluation data indicated that parents were satisfied with the program. We found no mean differences between FSP and CAU in parental sense of competence at 10 months (mothers: 76∙6 [SD 9∙23] vs 76∙9 [SD 8∙98], mean difference -0∙03 SD’s -0∙31 (p=0∙56); partners: 74∙92 [SD 9∙27] vs 74∙54 [SD 9∙38], mean difference 0∙03 SD’s (p=0∙64). Interpretation: The intervention did not influence parents’ sense of competence even if the parents attended and liked the group meetings. This highlights the need for refinement of either the intervention approach or the expectation to its outcome. Trial Registration: This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT02294968. Funding Statement: The intervention was financed by the municipality of Aarhus. The research was supported by TrygFonden. None of the members of the research team are employed by the municipality of Aarhus or TrygFonden. Declaration of Interests: We declare no competing interests. Ethics Approval Statement: Approval was obtained from the Regional Ethical Committee (Central Denmark Region); registration number ESDH 1-10-72-109-14 and the Danish data protection agency; registration number 2014-41-3016.