Abstract
This project examined the effectiveness and implementation of an early intervention program for children from new immigrant families in Hong Kong in two delivery settings, preschools and social services centres. Participants included 141 new immigrant mothers with preschool children, from 13 preschools and two social services centres. The preschool participants were randomized into an intervention group (30-session HOPE program) and a comparison group (six-session program) at the preschool level, while participants from the two social services centres attended the 30-session HOPE program. Results indicated that the HOPE participants in preschools and social services centres reported lower post-intervention child behavior problem scores than the comparison group. Preschool HOPE participants reported higher post-intervention social support than the social services HOPE participants and comparison group participants. Qualitative information from preschool principals and centre supervisors indicated different dynamics within the two settings. Implications and suggestions for service delivery were discussed.
Highlights
It is recognized that inappropriate parenting is one of the significant determinants of child developmental problems such as child behavior problems
The present study aimed to investigate the influence of context of delivery on the effectiveness of the HOPE program
The inclusion criteria required was at least one parent being a new Chinese immigrant; the parent and the target child being normally resident in Hong Kong; and the target child being between 3 and 5 years of age and attending preschools in Hong Kong
Summary
It is recognized that inappropriate parenting is one of the significant determinants of child developmental problems such as child behavior problems. Practitioners need to be aware of contextual variables which might influence the effectiveness and integrity of the program. In a meta-analysis on the effectiveness of parenting programs, it was concluded that offering training in the community might reduce psychological and logistic barriers to attendance which might influence outcome (Reyno & McGrath, 2006). Gross and Grady (2006) pointed out that administrative support for parenting programs was important and staff would need to be enthusiastic about the program to encourage parents to attend. This would be more likely to happen where the mission of the organization was the same as that of the parent training program
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