Understanding Parenting Practices and Parents’ Views of Parenting Programs: A Survey Among Indonesian Parents Residing in Indonesia and Australia

Abstract

Parenting practices have been studied extensively in developed countries, but there are only limited parenting studies conducted in developing countries, such as Indonesia, the fourth most populated country in the world. Additionally, evidence-based parenting programs that aim to reduce parenting risks and child emotional and behavioral problems are not available for Indonesian families. It is, therefore, important to understand Indonesian parents’ parenting practices and needs for accessing parenting programs in order to contribute to the development of culturally relevant parenting programs for Indonesian families. In this study, a survey was conducted to explore different aspects of parenting practices and parents’ views of parenting programs within an Indonesian population. Participants were 273 Indonesian parents residing in Indonesia and Australia who had a child aged 2–12 years old. Results indicate that most parents showed a high level of parental self-efficacy, parental adjustment, family relationships, and parental team work. They also reported low levels of dysfunctional parenting practices and child emotional and behavioral problems. No statistical differences were found in parenting practices and child emotional and behavioral problems between parents residing in Indonesia and Australia. Further investigation showed that many parents still used ineffective parenting strategies (e.g., shouting) when dealing with child misbehavior. Most parents were not familiar with existing parenting programs, but they indicated a moderate to high level of interest in participating in a parenting program, and noted several preferences for the delivery of such a program. Parents showed a preference for having an evidence-based parenting program, particularly a ‘light touch intervention’ that is affordable and conducted in an accessible place. Limitations of the study are also discussed, along with suggestions for future research and implications of findings.