The Good Enough Parenting early intervention schema therapy based program: Participant experience

Abstract

Background and objectives Schema therapy (ST) has become a mainstream therapy for the treatment of psychopathology and has been validated through a series of large scale, international randomized control trials. Among other things, schema therapy emphasizes the meeting of core emotional needs in children by primary caregivers as these unmet needs continue to adversely affect their lives into adulthood. An early intervention parenting program has been developed to help parents meet these core emotional needs in order to prevent the development of psychopathology in the first place. The program, Good Enough Parenting, is equally focused on reducing problems and strengthening parenting practices, regardless of where the child is on the “disordered to well-being continuum”. This study aims to explore “patient experience” by users of this program. Best clinical research guidelines advocate that participants should be used as collaborators rather than pure recipients; this process should predate large scale trials. Design An exploratory qualitative study with 55 parent-participants of Good Enough Parenting was conducted. Methods One-to-one interviews were conducted with participants, using critical incident technique and guided by semi-structured interview schedule, to explore their experiences with the program. Transcripts were then analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Coding showed a high degree of inter-rater reliability (kappa value of 0.78). The themes that emerged were Cultivating Awareness of Parents’ Own Schemas, Cultivating Intentionality, Working through Developmental Issues, Responses to Challenges at Home, Performing Multiple Roles, and the Learning Process. Participants overwhelmingly reported satisfaction within these key themes. Conclusions The results support the development of the program and the choice of “participant reported outcome measures” for use in subsequent randomized controlled trials.

Overprotective parenting experiences and early maladaptive schemas in adolescence and adulthood: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…This review highlights the importance for early intervention parenting programmes to inform parents of the implications their parenting has on their children. The Louis et al ( 2021 ) Good Enough Parenting Program is an example of a parenting program targeted to prevent the development of psychopathology by intervening with initial parenting experiences. Results from this review can help inform parenting programmes surrounding the implications of overprotective parenting specifically.…”

Comparison of Various Psychological Human Needs Model with Schema Therapy

“…The schema therapy needs model derived from Louis et al, (2020a) has important implications. One of them is to help parents know what these four core emotional needs are and that by meeting them adequately, or to a "good enough" degree (Louis et al, 2020b), they can prevent the development of active, rigid EMSs and at the same time foster the development of strong EASs, which carry into adolescence and adulthood. This model can also shed light on the specific unmet needs that give rise to the formation of strong EMSs and weak EASs which drive personality disorders (Young et al, 2003).…”

“…If a deficit of certain core emotional needs (such as connection and acceptance) consistently appear to be linked with the formation of personality disorders, then steps can be taken to rectify this. Louis et al, (2021) found that when parents are consistent in spending time with their children (one-on-one and in groups), playing with them and facilitating healthy play, and when they ensure consistent family meal times, the need for connection and acceptance is met to a good enough degree (Louis et al, 2020). Another step which fosters greater connection and prevents all manner of dysfunction is when parents process and validate their children's emotions (Gottman, 1997).…”

Group Schema Therapy for Reducing Parenting Stress in Families with Children with Disabilities

“…Родители, прошедшие курс схема-терапии, сообщали об улучшении коммуникации между ними и ребенком [42]. Также они отмечали, что их реакции на нарушения поведения ребенком были менее болезненными и их (родителей) стресс был ниже [43]. Родители стали более позитивно воспринимать своего ребенка, что положительно сказалось на уровне их стресса.…”