Effects of a Parenting Video Series On Parents' Parenting Practices and Children's Behavior

Media-based parenting programs show significant promise for improving parenting practices and child behavior across a broad population of families. Media-based approaches can decrease the stigma and cost associated with participation in parenting programs and can dramatically increase program reach to parents who might not otherwise be reached. But the potential of video and television for affecting parenting has received little research attention, and little is known about the efficacy of such approaches. This presentation will present outcomes from a randomized controlled trial of the Triple P Parenting Video Series, in which the efficacy of two different versions of this 10-episode, brief (12-15 minutes per episode), infotainment-style video series, based on the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, were tested against a waitlist control. A sample of 322 families of children ages 3-6 years with elevated disruptive behavior problems were randomized to Standard video, Enhanced video, or Waitlist Control conditions. Intervention effects were examined on questionnaire, phone interview, and direct observation measures of parenting practices, child behavior, and parents’ cognitions, affect, and social support at post-intervention and six-month follow-up. Positive intervention effects were achieved on the frequency and intensity of child behavior problems, dysfunctional parenting practices, and parenting knowledge for both mothers and fathers, and mothers’ handling of misbehaviors and positive guidance. Final results on outcomes at post-intervention and six-month follow-up will be presented, as well as the impact of moderators, dosage, and viewing patterns on these outcomes. The implications of these findings for the use of media-based parenting interventions to achieve broad population effects will be discussed.