Psychology

Evaluating a self-determination theory-based preventive parenting consultation: The parent check-in

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Objectives: Parent training is the treatment of choice for many childhood problems; yet there are notable gaps among available treatments related to access, content, and target age-range. This study examined the feasibility and initial effects of the Parent Check-In, a two-session preventive intervention based on Self-Determination Theory. The intervention was designed to enhance parents’ motivation and promote parenting skills on dimensions of autonomy support, structure, and involvement. Methods: Twenty-eight parents (27 mothers, 3 fathers, 2 participating as couples) of elementary school-age children (ages 8–12) participated in a pilot study with an intervention/waitlist control design. Results: Results revealed that the Parent Check-In attracted parents from a range of families in varying degrees of distress, including several first-time treatment-seekers. Relative to a waitlist control group (n = 8), participants who received the Parent Check-In (n = 20) showed significantly greater increases in parental internal locus of control, autonomy support, and structure provision at a two-week follow-up. Effect sizes were moderate to large. Both groups showed improvements in parent involvement. Intervention effects on parenting stress and sense of efficacy were not significant. Conclusions: Preliminary evidence supports the efficacy of the Parent Check-In. Future directions for the development and validation of the intervention are discussed.

Publication Title

Journal of Child and Family Studies

Publication Date

2019

Volume

28

Issue

3

First Page

732

Last Page

743

ISSN

1062-1024

DOI

10.1007/s10826-018-01309-0

Keywords

autonomy support, motivation, parenting skills training, preventive intervention, self-determination theory

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