Video-Based Approach to Engaging Parents into a Preventive Parenting Intervention for Divorcing Families: Results of...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Prevention Science
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Low parent participation limits the public health impact of preventive interventions.
• Effective and feasible parent engagement methods are critical for prevention scientists.
• Video-based strategies were tested to improve engagement in an evidence-based program for divorcing parents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test video-based engagement methods for a divorcing parent program.
• To compare the effectiveness of different theory-based video strategies against control conditions.
• To determine if social influence and health behavior models can enhance parent engagement.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial compared three experimental videos to an information brochure and an information-only video.
• Participants were parents attending court-mandated programs.
• Engagement was measured by interest, enrollment, and initiation of the parenting intervention.

Main Results:

• The core principles video significantly increased parent interest, enrollment, and initiation compared to control conditions.
• Video-based interventions demonstrated effectiveness in engaging parents.
• Findings support the use of theory-based videos for parent engagement.

Conclusions:

• Video-based strategies grounded in social influence and health behavior theories are effective and feasible for increasing parent engagement.
• Improved parent engagement can maximize the public health benefits of evidence-based parenting interventions.
• This approach offers a scalable solution for reaching more parents with vital preventive programs.