Citation

McGoron L, Hvizdos E, Bocknek EL, Montgomery E, Ondersma SJ. Child. Youth Serv. Rev. 2018; 84: 198-205.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences, Tolan Park Medical Building, 3901 Chrysler Service Drive, Detroit MI 48201.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.12.004

PMID

29731531

PMCID

PMC5931387

Abstract

Parent training programs promote positive parenting and benefit low-income children, but are rarely used. Internet-based delivery may help expand the reach of parent training programs, although feasibility among low-income populations is still unclear. We examined the feasibility of internet-based parent training, in terms of internet access/use and engagement, through two studies. In Study 1, 160 parents recruited from Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) centers completed a brief paper survey regarding internet access and use (all parents received government aid). We found high levels of access, openness, and comfort with the internet and internet-enabled devices. In Study 2, a pilot study, we assessed use of an online parenting program in a project with a sample of 89 predominately low-income parents (75% received government aid). Parents learned about a new, online parenting program (the "5-a-Day Parenting Program") and provided ratings of level of interest and program use 2-weeks and 4-weeks later. Local website traffic was also monitored. At baseline, parents were very interested in using the web-based program, and the majority of parents (69.6%) reported visiting the website at least once. However, in-depth use was rare (only 9% of parents reported frequent use of the online program).

RESULTS support the feasibility of internet-based parent training for low-income parents, as most parent were able to use the program and were interested in doing so. However, results also suggest the need to develop strategies to promote in-depth program use.

Language: en

Keywords

feasibility; internet-based parent education; parent education; school readiness; technology