An evaluation of an intensive group parenting programme (Hoki ki te Rito/Mellow Parenting) for parents experiencing significant parenting problems
An evaluation of an intensive group parenting programme (Hoki ki te Rito/Mellow Parenting) for parents experiencing significant parenting problems on the effects of parental mental health
University of Auckland
72 participants
Feb 16, 2009
Interventional
Conditions
Summary
This study is a follow-on from pilot evaluation (NTX/07/12/135) of an intensive parenting programme (Hoki ki te Rito/Mellow Parenting) delivered to a group of Maori and Pacific parents/whanau residing in the Counties Manukau DHB. In this study we will evaluate the programme further as it is rolled out to 6 groups of approximately 12 participants (each) through two organisations – Ohomairangi Trust (which administered the pilot study) and the Anglican Trust for Women and Children. Hoki ki te Rito/Mellow Parenting is a 14 week programme (1 day, 5 hours a week) designed to support families with relationship problems with their infants and young children. It combines personal support for parents with a video and direct work with parents and children on their own parenting problems and aims to improve maternal well being, parent-child interaction, child behaviour and child development. The programme is based on The Mellow Parenting programme developed in Glasgow and has been adapted for use with Maori and Pacific peoples in New Zealand. The outcome measures are mainly questionnaires which the study participants complete, and a video of their interactions with their child/ren. A stepped wedge design will be used because there is no treatement as usual and randomising young children to a no-intervention control group is potentially harmful. This has been discussed in depth with the Ethics Committee.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria8
- Participants must:
- Be a primary caregiver of at least one child less than five years of age on the day of consent
- Female
- Self-referring/seeking parenting support for difficulties with child-rearing
- Be aged at least 16 years on day of consent
- Have the child/ren predominantly living with them
- Be living in the Counties Manukau DHB area at the first time of contact
- Be able to provide written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria4
- Parenting problems stemming from own or child’s disability/illness
- Current acute psychiatric illness or above a threshold on General Health Questionnaire-30 (GHQ-30)
- Current severe problems with alcohol/substance abuse (e.g. currently in detox)
- Intellectual handicap
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Interventions
The Mellow Parenting (MP) programme was developed specifically for families with a pre-school child where there were relationship problems or where there were other significant problems such as maternal depression or child protection issues. There is a strong emphasis on parental engagement and empowerment, individual analysis of video tape of a family interaction (e.g. at a mealtime), activities to practice new skills, structured parenting workshop, ‘homework’ to reinforce new skills etc. The programme is designed to improve mother-child interaction, child behaviour problems, mother’s wellbeing, mother’s effectiveness and confidence in parenting, and well as child behaviour and development. Mellow Parenting is a 14 week programme (1 day, 5 hours a week).
Locations(1)
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ACTRN12609000155291