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Group-based parent training programme for children with neurological conditions: a feasibility study
Nimmi Parikh1, Alexandra Faulkner2, Maria Hadji-Michael3
1Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK nimmi.parikh@gosh.nhs.uk.
Insights
This study found a 6-week parent training program feasible and effective for children with neurological conditions. The program improved child behavior and parental well-being, with high attendance rates for both face-to-face and remote options.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Parenting Interventions
Background:
- Children with neurological conditions often exhibit challenging behaviors impacting families.
- Evidence-based parent training is crucial for managing these behaviors and supporting child development.
- Accessible delivery formats (face-to-face and remote) are needed to improve program reach.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of a group-based parent training program for caregivers of children with neurological conditions.
- To evaluate the program's effectiveness in improving child behavior and parental well-being.
- To compare outcomes between face-to-face and remote delivery formats.
Main Methods:
- A 6-week evidence-based behavioral parenting program was delivered to parents of 31 children with neurological conditions.
- Feasibility was measured by attendance rates (face-to-face: 80%, remote: 79%).
- Effectiveness was assessed using parent-reported measures of child behavior (e.g., Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) and parental well-being (e.g., Parental Sense of Competence), with pre- and post-intervention analyses.
Main Results:
- The program demonstrated feasibility with high attendance rates across both delivery formats.
- Statistically significant improvements were observed in child behavior (p=0.014), quality of life (p<0.001), goal-based outcomes (p<0.001), parental self-efficacy (p<0.001), and reduced parental anxiety (p=0.030).
- Medium to large effect sizes indicated meaningful improvements in most child behavior and parental well-being measures.
Conclusions:
- The group parenting intervention is a feasible and effective approach for parents of children with heterogeneous neurological conditions and challenging behaviors.
- The program positively impacts both child behavior and parental psychological well-being.
- Both face-to-face and remote delivery methods are acceptable and effective, offering flexibility for families.
Objective And Design:
This study aimed to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of a parent training programme for parents of children with neurological conditions and behaviours that challenge.
Setting:
Child and adolescent mental health service within a specialist children's hospital.
Participants:
Parents of 31 children with neurological conditions and behaviours that challenge.
Interventions:
Parents attended a 6-week evidence-based behavioural parenting programme delivered in a group format, either face-to-face or remote.
Main Outcome Measures:
Feasibility was determined by attendance rates. Effectiveness was analysed primarily using parent-reported measures of child behaviour (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, Paediatric Quality of Life and Goal-Based Outcomes). Secondary measures of parental well-being were also reported (Brief Parental Self-Efficacy Scale, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale Short Form and Parental Sense of Competence). Paired t-tests or Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were conducted to analyse differences preintervention and postintervention.
Results:
The attendance rates for the face-to-face and remote groups were 80% and 79%, respectively. Medium to large effect sizes were reported for most measures of child behaviour and parental well-being. There were statistically significant improvements found postintervention in children's behaviour (p=0.014), quality of life (p<0.001), goal-based outcomes (p<0.001), parental self-efficacy (p<0.001) and parental anxiety (p=0.030). Anecdotal feedback showed that parents indicated the group format was acceptable.
Conclusions:
The group parenting intervention for parents of children with heterogeneous neurological conditions and behaviours that challenge appears feasible and effective in improving child behaviour and parental well-being.
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