2-047 - Making an App for That: Initial program creation and evaluation of technology-based parent guidance programs

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Integrative Statement

Access to mobile technology is becoming ubiquitous, even among low-income populations. In a sample of low-income parents, 86% reported owning a Smartphone (McGoron et al., 2018). Access to mobile technology offers an opportunity for parents, even those who are unlikely to engage in face-to-face parent guidance, to receive information about parenting. This symposium will present the early-stage development and evaluation of four interventions for parents of infants or young children that utilize mobile technology. The first two interventions target low-income fathers of infants. First, “DadTime” is a Smartphone App created to support fathers that are enrolled in an in-person fatherhood program; app creation was guided by interviews and focus groups. Second, “Text4Dad” is a program that allows male peer mentors to send tailored text messages with parenting information to fathers of infants. Initial acceptability of the program was examined through focus groups and an online survey. Third, “Creating Connections,” is a program for low-income mothers with newborns. The program is delivered via tablet at newborn pediatric visits with additional text messages to reinforce program content. Results from the initial program evaluation will be shared. Finally, the “Parenting Young Children Check-up” is a program being developed to deliver behavioral parent training to parents of young children with disruptive behavior problems. The three part program includes 1) a tablet-based intervention for parents to complete at a pediatric visit, 2) text messages, and 3) a parent training website with video-based content. Program creation is being guided by qualitative interviews with physicians and parents.

Sub Unit

• Prevention and Interventions

Chair

• Lucy (Kathleen) McGoron, Wayne State University

Individual Presentations

• Developing and Testing a Smartphone App to Reduce Fathers’ Barriers to Participation in Fatherhood Programs - Presenting Author: Shawna J Lee, University of Michigan; Non-Presenting Author: Rekha Balu, MDRC; Non-Presenting Author: Tova Walsh, University of Wisconsin

• Development and initial acceptability of tailored text messaging to increase father engagement in home visitation - Presenting Author: Joyce Y Lee, University of Michigan; Non-Presenting Author: Shawna J Lee, University of Michigan

• Creating Connections: A Parenting Intervention Adapted for Tablet and Text Delivery - Presenting Author: Giovanna Savastano, Wayne State University; Non-Presenting Author: Tina O'Neal, Wayne State University; Non-Presenting Author: Patricia Richardson, Stanford University School of Medicine; Non-Presenting Author: Lucy (Kathleen) McGoron, Wayne State University; Non-Presenting Author: Madison Broadwell, Wayne State University; Non-Presenting Author: Erika London Bocknek, Wayne State University

• Creation and Refinement of a Technology-based Intervention for Parents of Children with Disruptive Behavior Problems - Presenting Author: Lucy (Kathleen) McGoron, Wayne State University; Non-Presenting Author: Sharmi Purkayestha, Wayne State University; Non-Presenting Author: Elizabeth Towner, Wayne State University; Non-Presenting Author: Ronald Gallimore, University of California-Los Angeles; Non-Presenting Author: Steven J Ondersma, Wayne State University