A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
How-to parenting program: A randomized controlled trial evaluating its impact on parenting
Authors: Mageau Geneviève A., Joussemet Mireille, Robichaud Jean-Michel, Larose Marie-Pier, Grenier Fanny
Publisher: Elsevier
Publication year: 2022
Journal: Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology
Article number: 101383
Volume: 79
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2021.101383
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2021.101383
“How to Talk so Kids will Listen & Listen so Kids will Talk” is a universal parenting program hypothesized to teach three key parenting components: autonomy support, affiliation, and structure. To assess its impact on these components, we conducted its first randomized controlled trial. We recruited 293 parent-child dyads, which we randomized into 30 parenting groups. Fifteen groups received the program immediately (How-to condition), while the other half received it 14 months later (waitlist condition). Parents and their child (Mage = 7.60) rated parent autonomy support, affiliation and structure at pre- and post-intervention as well as at six- and twelve-month follow-ups. At post-intervention, parents in the How-to condition reported more autonomy support than parents in the waitlist condition and, for those scoring low on affiliation or structure at pre-intervention, more affiliation and (potentially) structure, respectively. Limited differences were reported by children. Post-intervention differences remained stable over the 12-month follow up.