Effectiveness of the PlayStrong Neuro-Filial Parenting Program: A program evaluation of an online pilot during COVID-19.

Abstract

This study piloted an online play-based parenting program informed by filial therapy, child-parent relationship therapy, and interpersonal neurobiology during COVID-19. The purpose of this program evaluation was to explore its potential effectiveness in improving child behaviors, mindful parenting, parent-child relationship quality, and protective factors. This study used a mixed method design to gather quantitative data from standardized measures and qualitative data from surveys. Parents of children 4-10 years old (N = 11) participated in 6 weekly 1.5-hr sessions which included teaching a new skill, asking questions, offering support, and sharing video or descriptions about using playbased parenting skills at home. Quantitative results showed significant differences before to after program participation in mindful discipline in parenting and social support as a protective factor. Changes in child's peer interactions (i.e., siblings, classmates) approached significance. There were no other significant differences. Qualitative findings suggested a positive impact of the program that supported quantitative results, and perhaps, expanded upon what was not captured by the quantitative measures in the area of parent-child relationships. While the results are limited by small sample size and low statistical power, these findings suggest some support for the updated online play-based parenting programs in meeting parenting needs during COVID-19.

The Asian Conference on Education 2022: Official Conference Proceedings

“…During COVID-19, two studies related to intervention-centric parenting activities utilising ICT were identified. Participation in online parenting interventions may result in improvements in three distinct areas (Tuntipuchitanon, 2022;Wisen-Vincent & Bokoch, 2022). First, online intervention programs, such as Triple-p/PPP, are associated with better social, emotional, and behavioural outcomes for children.…”

“…More importantly, rarely any feedback was given to parents during nor after their application of acquired strategies. Parents were not encouraged to ask questions or involved in discussion enough to involve deep insights, thus parents were less motivated compared with on-site participation (Wisen-Vincent & Bokoch, 2022). Therefore, there are two directions of implications emerging from the existing research.…”

“…Due to the on-going lockdown and restrictions of the pandemic, both studies had relatively short period time of intervention (Tuntipuchitanon, 2022;Wisen-Vincent & Bokoch, 2022).…”

“…(Sherr et al, 2022;Tomlinson et al, 2022). The lockdown, school closures, travel restrictions, and limited access to medical services had a substantial impact on parents, especially in families with special needs (Wisen-Vincent & Bokoch, 2022). According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (2020), 1.38 billion children were denied access to school or childcare because of the COVID-19 virus.…”

“…Positive parenting practices have both short-term and long-term benefits for children's behavioural and emotional development, such as boosting self-esteem, reducing depression, and alleviating trauma (Cheun & Pomerantz, 2012;Morgan et al, 2017). Multiple parenting programmes (e.g., Positive Parenting Program [PPP] or as Triple-P Program) are shown to improve parent-child relationships, reduce caregiver stress and abuse during discipline, and improve child and caregiver mental health in a variety of demographic and socioeconomic settings (Breitenstein et al, 2014;Franke et al, 2020;Wisen-Vincent & Bokoch, 2022).…”