Jandu Yani U ‘For All Families’ Triple P—positive parenting program in remote Australian Aboriginal communities: a study protocol for a community intervention trial

Abstract

IntroductionThe population-based (Lililwan) study of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) revealed a high prevalence of FASD in the remote communities of the Fitzroy Valley, Western Australia (WA) and confirmed anecdotal reports from families and teachers that challenging child behaviours were a significant concern. In response, Marninwarntikura Women’s Resource Centre initiated a partnership with researchers from The University of Sydney to bring the positive parenting program (Triple P) to the Valley. Triple P has been effective in increasing parenting skills and confidence, and improving child behaviour in various Indigenous communities.Methods and analysisExtensive consultation with community leaders, service providers, Aboriginal health networks and academic institutions was undertaken and is ongoing. Based on community consultations, the intervention was adapted to acknowledge local cultural, social and language complexities. Carers of children born after 1 January 2002 and living in the Fitzroy Valley are invited to participate in Group Triple P, including additional Stepping Stones strategies for children with complex needs. Programme are delivered by local community service workers, trained and accredited as Triple P providers or ‘parent coaches’. Assessments for parent coach pretraining and post-training includes their perceived ability to deliver the intervention and the cultural appropriateness of the programme. Carers complete preintervention and postintervention and 6-month follow-up assessments of parenting practices, self-efficacy and child behaviour.Ethics and disseminationApproval was granted by the University of Sydney Human Ethics Committee, WA Aboriginal Health Ethics Committee, WA Country Health Services Ethics Committee and Kimberley Aboriginal Health Planning Forum. Consultation with community is imperative for efficacy, engagement, community ownership and sustainability of the programme, and will be ongoing until findings are disseminated. Anonymous findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, community feedback sessions and scientific forums.

It takes a village: Influencing policy and practice to prevent alcohol use in pregnancy and promote better outcomes for individuals living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

“…In response, a randomised-controlled trial of a culturally appropriate modification of the Alert program was trialled in primary schools to address impulse control and executive functioning [51]. Additionally, a communitymodified, Indigenous Triple-P (positive parenting program) called Jandu Yani U [52] was introduced and shown to increase parents' skills and confidence, decrease challenging behaviours and decrease parental anxiety [53]. This in turn provided data for advocacy and resulted in funding for continuation of the program.…”

Increasing access to quality parent education through a virtual synchronous setting: A qualitative study

“…However, participation and retention rates remain a significant challenge for in‐person parent education classes (Bearss et al, 2017; Fleming et al, 2015; Gershy & Omer, 2017). Research has indicated this may be due to parents facing barriers like a lack of universally accessible high‐quality programs, particularly in rural low‐income and ethnic minority areas (Acuña & Martinez, 2018; Andersson et al, 2019). Additionally, they face increasingly limited time to access available services from competing life demands; this is especially salient for families with school‐age children where additional supervision and participation are required (Clarkson & Zierl, 2018; Viola et al, 2020; Walker et al, 2012).…”

“…However, participation and retention rates remain a significant challenge for inperson parent education classes (Bearss et al, 2017;Fleming et al, 2015;Gershy & Omer, 2017). Research has indicated this may be due to parents facing barriers like a lack of universally accessible high-quality programs, particularly in rural low-income and ethnic minority areas (Acuña & Martinez, 2018;Andersson et al, 2019).…”

Bigiswun Kid Project: a longitudinal study of adolescents living with high rates of prenatal alcohol exposure, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and early life trauma in remote Australian Aboriginal communities

“…Triple P, the Positive Parenting Program (Jandu Yani U, meaning ‘For all families’), trained 39 ‘parent coaches’ to assist local families to gain the knowledge and skills required to parent children with emotional and behavioural problems. 20 …”