Evaluation of the Better Parenting Programme in Jordan

Area of Science:

• Child Development
• Parenting Interventions
• Public Health

Background:

• Effective parenting programs are crucial for child well-being.
• National implementation of parenting programs requires evidence of efficacy.
• Parenting knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors significantly impact child outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the Better Parenting Programme (BPP) in Jordan.
• To assess the BPP's impact on parents' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors concerning child care.
• To determine if the BPP leads to improvements in specific parenting practices.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial with 337 participants (94% female).
• Comparison between an experimental group (participated in BPP) and a control group.
• Pre- and post-intervention questionnaires assessing parenting knowledge, child activities, discipline, and perceptions of child abuse/neglect.

Main Results:

• The experimental group showed significant improvements in parenting knowledge.
• Participants in the BPP group increased time spent on child play and reading.
• The BPP group demonstrated enhanced understanding of child neglect and used more explanatory discipline techniques.

Conclusions:

• The Better Parenting Programme (BPP) demonstrates modest beneficial effects on parenting.
• The BPP positively influences parents' knowledge and practices in child-rearing.
• Findings support the national implementation of the BPP in Jordan for improving child care.