Enhancing Positive Parenting Through Metacognition with the Program ‘Lou & us’

Abstract

This study used a micro-trial design to evaluate 'Lou & us', a 3-week parenting program based on metacognition. The program consists of sessions using a CDRom and interviews with the program deliverer. The study tested whether and to what extent the program is effective in enhancing positive parenting, in particular childrearing behavior, self-efficacy beliefs and co-parenting. In Study 1, the program was used by French-speaking mothers and fathers in a community-based sample of 152 families. Study 2 was a randomized control trial in which the program was used by French-speaking mothers and fathers from 58 families out of the 116 involved. In Study 1, 'Lou & us' was found to increase supportive parenting, reduced controlling parenting, and increase fathers' self-efficacy beliefs. The results of Study 1 were partially replicated in Study 2. Furthermore, the intervention was seen to enhance co-parenting for both mothers and fathers, as well as their assessment of their children's externalizing behavior. The findings suggests that a limited number of activities based on the core process of metacognition and delivered in a limited period of time can be effective components for enhancing positive parenting.

Systematic review of the impact of coparenting interventions on paternal coparenting behaviour

“…In a French‐speaking area of Belgium, Roskam () evaluated Lou & Us, a self‐guided education programme that aimed to enhance positive parenting via meta‐cognitive skills in parents of children aged between 4 and 7 years. The programme was delivered via CD‐ROM, in conjunction with interviews facilitated by trained Masters students to help parents develop insights into their parenting.…”

“…Of the six trials to examine dysfunctional parenting practices such as parent–child aggression and intrusiveness, four did not show effects (Florsheim et al., ; Frank, Keown, & Sanders, ; Petch et al., ; Roskam, ), one trial reported mixed findings (Feinberg & Kan, ; Kan & Feinberg, ) and one reported improvements (Stover, ). Four trials examined parenting efficacy, which refers to the beliefs parents hold about their ability to parent successfully.…”

“…Four trials examined parenting efficacy, which refers to the beliefs parents hold about their ability to parent successfully. Three trials reported no effects on fathers’ parenting efficacy or competence (Fagan, ; Frank, Keown, & Sanders, ; Roskam, ) while one trial found an increase in paternal breast‐feeding self‐efficacy (Abbass‐Dick et al., ).…”

“…coparenting and related outcomes. The majority of interventions reported an effect on at least one measure of coparenting (Beach et al, 2014;Fagan, 2008;Florsheim et al, 2012;Roskam, 2014), but several studies reported mixed (Feinberg & Kan, 2008;Feinberg et al, 2009;Halford et al, 2010;Shapiro et al, 2011) or null findings (Doss et al, 2014;Petch et al, 2012;Rhoades, 2015;Stover, 2015 (Kuo, Volling, & Gonzalez, 2017).…”

One or many? Which and how many parenting variables should be targeted in interventions to reduce children's externalizing behavior?

“…Recent micro-trials have targeted cognitive Roskam, 2015) or behavioral parenting variables (Brassart & Schelstraete, 2015b;) in a specific onevariable format. The efficacy of specific parenting interventions has also been tested among parents of clinically referred children (Brassart & Schelstraete, 2015a).…”