The Effects and Moderators of Online Evidence-Based Parenting Intervention When Delivered in Real-World Settings

Evidence-Based Parenting Supports (EBPS) have demonstrated efficacy in addressing child behavioral and emotional problems. However, despite their proven benefits, EBPS still reach a minority of families. Online parenting interventions offer a promising solution to this gap, enhancing accessibility and demonstrating effectiveness in various contexts. This study evaluates the effectiveness of three online parenting programs: Triple P Online (TPOL), Fear-less Triple P Online (FLTPOL), and Triple P Online for Baby (TPOLB) which were disseminated nationally through the Australian Government's Parenting and Education Support Program.

Using a practice-as-usual approach, the study followed a non-randomized, open trial design with pre-, post-, and follow-up assessments. Data were collected from 2,254 participants who completed the baseline evaluation and at least one additional data collection time point.

Results indicated that participation in an online intervention was associated with significant improvements in parenting practices, parent self-efficacy, child behavioral and emotional adjustment, and parental mental health. Key moderators of program effectiveness included baseline parenting difficulties, parent age, education, relationship to the child, number of children and family cultural background. However, none of the demographic factors were consistently found to moderate outcomes across programs.

Findings underscore the potential of scalable, digital parenting interventions in public health contexts, offering a robust, inclusive approach to promoting positive parenting. The study calls for ongoing evaluation to optimize engagement and address barriers, thereby strengthening the long-term impact of digital parenting supports.