A Pilot Study of the Tuning in to Kids Parenting Program in Iran for Reducing Preschool Children’s Anxiety

Abstract

Objectives Tuning in to Kids (TIK) is a group parenting program that targets parent emotion socialization (emotional awareness and regulation, meta-emotion and emotion coaching skills) to improve children's functioning. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the effectiveness of this program when used with parents of anxious preschool children. Methods The study used a randomized controlled design. Fifty-six mothers of children who scored one standard deviation above the mean on the parent report of the Preschool Anxiety Scale (PAS) were selected from 358 families who expressed interest in participating in a parenting program. Selected participants were randomly assigned to intervention (n = 30) or control (n = 26) conditions. Participants in the intervention condition attended the 6 session TIK program followed by two booster sessions at monthly intervals thereafter. Post-intervention and 6-months later the PAS was re-administered to participants in both conditions. Results Mixed Repeated Measure ANOVA analysis showed a significant difference between participants in the two conditions on parent-reported anxiety at post-test and 6-month follow-up. Clinical significance analyses showed 69% of the intervention group in comparison to 18% of the control group had parent-reported change into the normal range for anxiety scores. These changes remained stable at 6-month follow-up (60% compared to 23%). ConclusionThe study suggests that the TIK program shows preliminary effectiveness when used in Iran with preschool children with anxiety.

The Effectiveness of Emotion Coaching Parenting Program in Iranian Preschool Children With Internalizing Disorders

“…Havighurst et al (2013) also showed that ECPP significantly reduced the extent and severity of behavioral problems, indicating that this treatment is effective for childhood disorders. A randomized controlled study by Edrissi et al (2019) demonstrated a significant difference between participants in the parenting program group and control group on parent-reported anxiety at post-test and 6-month follow-up. Our results are important because few parenting programs have shown improvement in symptoms of children's internalizing disorders.…”

“…One booster session was held one month after the initial seven sessions (Table 1). Different exercises in the program were provided to teach Gottman's five steps, with content specified as core, optional, or home activities (Edrissi et al, 2019). The program inspired modifications in parenting attitudes and behaviors while increasing the emotional contact between parents and children.…”

“…The fourth session was dedicated to problem-solving, and the next two sessions concentrated on more intense emotions, specifically anger, and involved emotion regulation strategies, such as slow breathing, relaxation, etc. Parents were also taught skills in comprehending and regulating their own emotions and were informed about the impact of family of origin experiences on their beliefs and responses to emotions (Edrissi et al, 2019;Havighurst et al, 2010). The final session included summaries of key points provided during the six sessions, an open discussion about each participant's personal experience during sessions, and a closing statement from each participant.…”

“…Previous studies have highlighted the important association between EC and childhood internalizing problems (Edrissi, Havighurst, Aghebati, Habibi & Arani, 2019;Ellis, Alisic, Reiss, Dishion & Fisher, 2014;Gus, Rose & Gilbert, 2015;Havighurst, Wilson, Harley, Prior & Kehoe, 2010;Loop & Roskam, 2016;Sanders et al, 1999). For example, the results of a pilot study by Edrissi et al (Edrissi et al, 2019) indicated that the "Tuning into Kids (TIK) program" had positive effects on Iranian preschool children with anxiety problems.…”

“…Previous studies have highlighted the important association between EC and childhood internalizing problems (Edrissi, Havighurst, Aghebati, Habibi & Arani, 2019;Ellis, Alisic, Reiss, Dishion & Fisher, 2014;Gus, Rose & Gilbert, 2015;Havighurst, Wilson, Harley, Prior & Kehoe, 2010;Loop & Roskam, 2016;Sanders et al, 1999). For example, the results of a pilot study by Edrissi et al (Edrissi et al, 2019) indicated that the "Tuning into Kids (TIK) program" had positive effects on Iranian preschool children with anxiety problems. Results of a community trial by Havighurst et al (Havighurst et al, 2010) in Australia also comes to the aid for the efficacy of a parenting intervention targeting parent emotion socialization practices that lead to enhanced child emotional knowledge and behavior.…”