Enhancing the parent-child relationship: a Hong Kong community-based randomized controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Child and Adolescent Psychology
• Family Studies
• Public Health Interventions

Background:

• Adolescence presents critical risks for negative academic and behavioral outcomes.
• A strong parent-child relationship acts as a crucial protective factor during this developmental stage.
• Previous pilot studies indicated potential benefits of parenting interventions for preadolescents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of positive discipline parenting skills training on parental satisfaction with the parent-child relationship.
• To evaluate a culturally adapted community intervention for Hong Kong Chinese families.
• To examine the protective effects of enhanced parental behaviors on adolescent outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 461 Hong Kong Chinese parents of children aged 10-13 years.
• Participants were randomized into the Harmony@Home intervention, an attention control, or a third active control group.
• Data collection occurred over a 12-month follow-up period using multiple assessment methods.

Main Results:

• The Harmony@Home intervention group showed a significant increase in satisfaction with the parent-child relationship at 3 months postintervention compared to the control group.
• While overall results were mixed, the intervention demonstrated positive effects on the primary outcome.
• The study highlights the feasibility of implementing culturally sensitive community-based parenting programs.

Conclusions:

• Brief training in positive discipline parenting skills can enhance parental satisfaction with the parent-child relationship.
• Culturally adapted community interventions can effectively bolster protective factors for adolescents.
• This approach holds promise for mitigating negative academic and behavioral outcomes in Chinese adolescents.