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A review of Australian Government funding of parenting intervention research
Sophie S Havighurst1, Carys Chainey2, Frances L Doyle3
1Mindful: Centre for Training and Research in Developmental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria.
Insights
Parenting intervention research receives minimal funding despite its significant impact on child development and mental health. Increased government investment is crucial for advancing effective parenting support strategies.
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Public Health
- Intervention Science
Background:
- Parenting significantly influences child outcomes, including mental health, accounting for up to 40% of variance.
- Parenting interventions are a modifiable factor for preventing and treating child problems and enhancing wellbeing.
- High-quality research is essential to assess new parenting intervention approaches and optimize their reach.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the current funding landscape for parenting intervention research in Australia.
- To identify the gap between research investment and the importance of parenting for child outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A review of funding awarded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and Australian Research Council (ARC) for parenting intervention research.
- Analysis of funding data from 2011 to 2020.
Main Results:
- Parenting intervention research received only 0.25% of the total NHMRC and ARC research budgets.
- A significant disparity exists between the impact of parenting on child outcomes and the allocated research funding.
Conclusions:
- There is a substantial mismatch between funding for parenting intervention research and its proven impact on child wellbeing.
- Australian Government funding schemes must prioritize parenting interventions to improve child and family health outcomes.
- Reallocating funds to parenting research will support evidence-based interventions, maximizing health benefits for children and families.
Objectives:
Parenting is central to children's optimal development and accounts for a substantial proportion of the variance in child outcomes, including up to 40% of child mental health. Parenting is also one of the most modifiable, proximal, and direct factors for preventing and treating a range of children's problems and enhancing wellbeing. To determine the effectiveness of new approaches to parenting intervention, and to evaluate how to optimise reach and uptake, sufficient funding must be allocated for high quality research.
Method:
We reviewed funding awarded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and Australian Research Council (ARC) for parenting intervention research during 2011-2020.
Results:
Parenting intervention research received 0.25% of the NHMRC and ARC research budgets.
Conclusions:
There is a substantial mismatch between the funding of parenting intervention research and the impact of improved parenting on short- and long-term child outcomes. To rectify this, it is critical that Australian Government funding schemes include parenting interventions as priority areas for funding.
Implications For Public Health:
Changes in allocation of funding to parenting research will support the establishment of evidence for the effective development, implementation and dissemination of parenting interventions to maximise health outcomes for children and their families.