EARLY PARENTING SUPPORT AND INFORMATION: A CONSUMER PERSPECTIVE.

Area of Science:

• Parenting Research
• Developmental Psychology
• Family Studies

Background:

• The transition to parenthood presents unique joys and challenges.
• Existing parenting support interventions demonstrate limited evidence of efficacy.
• There is a recognized need for improved parental support strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the needs and preferences of expectant and new parents for parenting support.
• To adopt a consumer-focused approach to understand parental requirements.
• To inform the development of more effective parenting interventions.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study design utilizing a purpose-built online survey.
• Recruitment of prenatal (n=77) and postnatal (n=123) parents through diverse online and community channels.
• Data collection on parental satisfaction with current support and interest in additional resources.

Main Results:

• Parents generally reported satisfaction with existing formal and informal support.
• Approximately one-fourth of parents had accessed a parenting intervention.
• Prenatal parents favored basic baby care information, while postnatal parents prioritized self-care and behavior management topics.

Conclusions:

• Parental needs for support evolve significantly during the transition to parenthood.
• A consumer-focused approach is crucial for designing relevant and engaging parenting interventions.
• Tailoring support content to specific parental stages can enhance intervention effectiveness and family engagement.