Clinical Trial: RCT of Brief Universal Parenting Program to Prevent Child Behavioural and Emotional Difficulties in Greece

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: A Randomised Controlled Trial of the Efficacy of Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) Seminar Series as a Universal Parenting Intervention for the Prevention of Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties

Brief Summary: This study investigates the impact of a Triple P Seminar Series on positive parenting for universal prevention of behavioural and emotional difficulties in a general Greek sample of parents with children aged 2 to 12. It is predicted that, compared to an attention control condition, parents randomised to the Seminar Series will report lower levels of children's disruptive and emotional difficulties at post-intervention. At the same time, it is postulated that parents will show a decrease in dysfunctional discipline styles, greater feelings of self-efficacy as well as lower levels of distress. Lastly, it is hypothesized that the effects observed at post-intervention will remain at the 6-month follow-up.

Detailed Summary:

Phase 1: Recruitment Child and family organisations will invite the general public by advertising the study through the organisations' member lists, contacts with schools and other health institutions, social networks, and mass media. Parents who have at least a child between 2 to 12 years old, living in the general area of Attica and being available to attend three Seminars (once per month) will be eligible. The researcher will receive from the organisations the list of all parents who contacted them and were interested in taking part in the study; the list will then be shared with his assistant. The assistant will sign a subcontract. All parents will receive an envelope which includes: (1) a thank you letter; (2) participant information sheet and two informed consents; (3) the pre-assessment baseline booklet including background information, parenting and child measures; (4) a pre-paid envelope so they could easily return them.

Written-informed consent: Eligible adult participants will provide informed consent. The adult informed consent process involves presenting a detailed written description of the study as it is described on the printed information and consent forms. Participants will be informed of the procedures for ensuring their protection, including:

1. participation is voluntary and free of charge;
2. participants will be informed that they will have an equal chance to get the Seminar Series through a fair process;
3. participants will be informed that their personal contact details will be shared with the researcher and his assistant;
4. the questionnaires which will be distributed are not anonymous. This is because all questionnaires will be distributed by mail;
5. It was used to investigate the intensity of behavioural difficulties.