The Apapacho early childhood violence prevention parenting program: A mixed methods pilot evaluation.

Area of Science:

• Child Development
• Public Health
• Parenting Interventions

Background:

• Parenting programs are key to preventing child violence and fostering positive parenting.
• Apapacho, a violence prevention program, was evaluated for its impact on caregiver outcomes.
• The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Apapacho in a Colombian context.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the short-term effects of the Apapacho parenting program on caregivers of young children.
• To determine if Apapacho is associated with improvements in responsive caregiving, mental health, and discipline practices.
• To explore caregivers' perceptions of the program's impact on their parenting.

Main Methods:

• A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was used, combining quantitative and qualitative data.
• 134 caregivers in the Apapacho program and 133 in a comparison group provided quantitative data.
• 12 focus groups and 10 interviews yielded qualitative data from participants.

Main Results:

• Apapacho participation correlated with enhanced beliefs in responsive caregiving and increased stimulation practices.
• The program was associated with reduced approval of violent discipline and increased use of non-violent discipline.
• Qualitative data revealed improved caregiver-child relationships, better understanding of child needs, and enhanced emotional regulation.

Conclusions:

• Apapacho demonstrates potential as an effective strategy for promoting positive parenting.
• The program is a promising approach for violence prevention in children.
• Findings support the integration of Apapacho into existing services for families.