Parents' perceptions of a group-based parenting programme in families with child protection and other family support services in a real-life setting

Karjalainen, P., Kiviruusu, O., Santalahti, P., Aronen, E.T. (2020). Parents' perceptions of a group-based parenting programme in families with child protection and other family support services in a real-life setting. Child & Family Social Work 26(1), 38-49.
DOI: 10.1111/cfs.12787

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess parents' satisfaction and perceived usefulness of
the Incredible Years® (IY®) parenting programme in the Child Protection Services
(CPS) context, where children's behaviour problems are common. Evidence-based
programmes are rarely offered in CPS, and little is known about how they are perceived
by parents. We compared parents (N = 62) with (N = 43) and without (N = 19)
CPS contact regarding their satisfaction with the IY® parenting programme, with
information gathered from weekly and final evaluation forms. The attendance rate of
parents to the weekly sessions (max 19) was also calculated. Comparisons between
CPS and non-CPS clients were analysed using multilevel models. Satisfaction scores
ranged between 5.8 and 6.2 (max 7) for all studied domains. Mean attendance rate to
the group sessions was 11.5 (SD 5.9), and 74% of participants attended at least nine
out of 19 sessions. No group differences emerged in satisfaction or attendance
between CPS and non-CPS parents. Parents in CPS committed well to the
programme and found it as useful as parents without CPS contact. IY® appears to be
acceptable to parents involved in CPS, and their engagement to the programme can
be considered as reasonably good.

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