Session: Media- and Technology-Based Approaches to Delivering Parenting Interventions (Society for Prevention Research 21st Annual Meeting)

Traditional in-person approaches to delivering parenting interventions, such as parenting groups, face significant obstacles to achieving broad reach. These limitations include logistical and stigma-related barriers for parents, and logistical and cost barriers for agencies. Media- and technology-based approaches for delivering parenting interventions hold significant promise for overcoming these barriers and achieving broad reach in the population. Much remains to be learned, however, about the effects of media- and technology-based delivery approaches, for whom they are most effective, and how they might be designed to optimize efficacy, engagement, and reach. This symposium will feature three presentations describing both video-only and online approaches to delivering the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program. The first presentation will present the final outcomes for the Triple P Parenting Video Series, an infotainment-style video-only version of Triple P. Positive outcomes were achieved on child behavior and parenting practices, measured through parent questionnaires, phone interviews, and direct observations. This presentation will also explore the effects of moderators, dosage, and viewing patterns on the outcomes. The second presentation will focus on Triple P Online, in which Triple P content is delivered through an interactive, internet-based, multi-media delivery format. The Triple P Online intervention achieved significant positive effects on child behavior and parenting practices, and this presentation will focus on the child, parent, family, and program-related predictors of these outcomes, providing a richer understanding of parents for whom this online approach was most effective. The third presentation will describe the adaptation of Triple P Online for delivery via a social media platform. The social media platform includes a variety of social media, discussion, and gaming features to maximally engage, motivate, and support parents. The efficacy and engagement value of the Triple P Online Community program is being evaluated with a high-risk vulnerable population (inner-city parents in the child welfare system). This presentation will demonstrate the social media features of the program and present preliminary findings. Following the three presentations, facilitated audience participatory discussion will address issues regarding the potential role of media and technology in delivering parenting education and support to a broad population of parents, the promise and pitfalls of these approaches, and what features of these interventions may optimize efficacy, engagement, and reach.