A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Enrollment and completion rates of a nationwide guided digital parenting program for children with disruptive behavior before and during COVID-19
Authors: Lintula, Sakari; Sourander, Andre; Hinkka-Yli-Salomaki, Susanna; Ristkari, Terja; Kinnunen, Malin; Kurki, Marjo; Marjamaki, Altti; Gyllenberg, David; Kim, Hyoun; Baumel, Amit
Publisher: SPRINGER
Publishing place: NEW YORK
Publication year: 2024
Journal: European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Journal name in source: EUROPEAN CHILD & ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY
Journal acronym: EUR CHILD ADOLES PSY
Number of pages: 11
ISSN: 1018-8827
eISSN: 1435-165X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-024-02523-6
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-024-02523-6
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/457647013
Our aim was to study enrollment and completion levels for the internet-based and telephone-assisted Finnish Strongest Families Smart Website (SFSW) parent training intervention, for parents of young children with disruptive behavior before and after the COVID-19 lockdown period. Population-based screening was carried out on 39,251 children during routine check- ups at 4 years of age. The parents of children scoring at least 5 on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire were assessed against inclusion and exclusion criteria. Associations with enrollment or completion were analyzed using logistic regression models. The effects of COVID-19 restrictions on these were estimated using interrupted timeseries analysis. Of 39,251 families, 4894 screened positive and met the eligibility criteria. Of those, 3068 (62.6%) decided to enroll in the SFSW program and 2672 (87.1%) of those families completed it. The highest level of disruptive behavior (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.12-1.57, p < 0.001) and overall severity of difficulties (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.91-2.57, p < 0.001) were independently associated with enrollment. Higher parental education was associated with enrollment and completion. Higher paternal age was associated with enrollment, and parent depressive symptoms with non-completion. The SFSW enrollment did not significantly change following the COVID-19 restrictions, while the completion rate increased (COVID-19 completion OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.22-2.50, p = 0.002). Guided digital parenting interventions increase the sustainability of services, by addressing the child mental health treatment gap and ensuring service consistency during crisis situations.
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Funding information in the publication:
Open Access funding provided by University of Turku (including Turku University Central Hospital). This research was supported by the Research Council of Finland (decision number: 345546). This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No. 101020767) and by the Research Council of Finland (decision number: 345546).
