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Published on: June 20, 2020
Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a web-based parenting skills program for young children with traumatic brain
Shari L Wade1, Karen Oberjohn, Abby Burkhardt
1Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, USA. shari.wade@cchmc.org
Insights
A web-based parenting program shows promise for improving skills and reducing behavior problems in young children after traumatic brain injury (TBI). This online intervention is feasible and effective for families navigating TBI challenges.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurosciences
- Developmental Psychology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in young children can lead to significant behavioral challenges.
- Parenting skills are crucial for managing these behaviors and supporting child recovery.
- Existing interventions may have accessibility limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a Web-based parenting skills program.
- To improve positive parenting skills in caregivers of children with TBI.
- To reduce child behavior problems and enhance caregiver coping after TBI.
Main Methods:
- Pilot study involving 9 families with children aged 3-8 years with recent TBI.
- A 10-session core plus supplemental online parenting program with video modeling and coaching.
- Focus on increasing positive parenting and improving caregiver stress management.
Main Results:
- High caregiver satisfaction and ease of use reported.
- Significant improvements in targeted parenting behaviors observed and maintained.
- Trends towards reduction in child behavior problems noted at follow-up.
Conclusions:
- The online parenting program is feasible for families with young children post-TBI.
- Preliminary evidence suggests efficacy in enhancing parenting skills.
- The intervention shows potential for reducing child behavior problems following TBI.
Objective:
To report the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a Web-based parenting skills program to reduce behavior problems following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in young children.
Methods:
Families of 9 children between the ages of 3 and 8 years with TBI, injured less than 24 months earlier, participated in a pilot study of a Web-based parenting skills program designed to increase positive parenting skills and to improve caregiver stress management and coping. The program consisted of 10 core sessions and up to 4 supplemental sessions. Each session consisted of self-guided didactic information, video modeling skills, and exercises. Online sessions were followed by synchronous sessions providing in vivo coaching of target skills.
Results:
Caregivers completed an average of 12 sessions (range 5-24). Ratings of ease of use and satisfaction were high. Paired t tests revealed significant improvements in target parenting behaviors between baseline and session 2 and between sessions 2 and 4. These improvements were maintained at follow-up. Among the 5 families who completed the follow-up assessment, there were trends for reductions in the overall number of behavior problems.
Conclusions:
This study provides preliminary evidence of the potential feasibility and efficacy of an online parenting skills intervention for improving positive parenting skills and for reducing child behavior problems following early TBI.
