Whom to ask? Whom to trust? Parents’ preferences for sources of advice on social-emotional parenting issues

Abstract

ABSTRACT Accumulating evidence shows how parents can support children’s social-emotional development with positive parenting practices. However, when confronted with parenting challenges, few parents seek evidence-based counseling. This study identifies main sources of advice for parents and examines the reasons why parents decide which sources to trust and use. Therefore, we interviewed parents of preschoolers on parenting challenges, sources of advice, general trust in these sources, and dimensions of trustworthiness. Parents’ trust was highly correlated with their intention to seek advice from someone. Furthermore, parents were most likely to seek advice within their close personal environment. Regarding the dimensions of trustworthiness, namely ability, benevolence, and integrity, we found that benevolence best predicted parents’ trust. Concerning ability, participants’ judgements were based on personal experience for some advice sources (e.g. friends, family) and on theoretical knowledge for others. Overall, this study emphasizes the important role of interpersonal trust and the dimensions of trustworthiness in advice-seeking settings. Parents already attribute evidence-based ability to professional counseling services. Consequently, we discuss how to improve evidence-based counseling by enhancing its perceived benevolence and integrity, for example, through promoting transparent and ethical practices, showing a commitment to the best interests of clients, and building strong relationships with clients.