Parenting Prevention Programs and its Effects on Parental Stress and Confidence

Abstract

Record ID: 83

Award(s): Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentorship; Excellence in Research Communication

Program Affiliation: McNair Scholars Program

Presentation Type: Poster

Abstract: Evidence-based parenting programs are effective at promoting parent and child wellbeing; however, many of those programs have not been adapted or validated for non-traditional families (e.g., foster and kinship caregivers). This study describes how foster and kinship caregivers responded to an evidence-based parenting program adapted for them. It was predicted that caregivers of children in foster care aged 2-8 (N = 7) would report increased confidence and decreased negative child behavior after completing the intervention (The Chicago Parenting Program) adapted for foster and kinship care (CCP-FC). During qualitative interviews, caregivers described the CCP-FC as effective in improving caregivers' confidence through tools and tricks to implement, and that they felt less stressed due to techniques provided throughout the program. Survey data indicated a non-significant effect on caregivers' stress, meaning caregiver stress did not decrease after the program. The survey data also indicated a non-significant effect on confidence at the end of the CCP-FC compared to baseline, meaning there was no increase in parental confidence after the program. While preliminary, these findings suggest that adapted interventions may be effective in supporting foster and kinship caregivers.