A remote video feedback program to strengthen parenting and reduce child behavioral problems

• In Event: Parenting Programs for Young Children Around the Globe: Advances in Modalities, Culturally Sensitive Content, and Effects

Abstract

The remote parenting-centered programs are promising strategies that have demonstrated benefits such as flexibility and reduction of logistical barriers to program access. However, few studies with this type of program have been conducted. The Strengthening Bonds Program (SBP) is a remote video-feedback parenting program that aims to strengthen positive mother-child interactions and to enhance the mothers' awareness about the power of positive interactions (Linhares, Altafim, Gaspardo, & Oliveira, 2018). This innovative technology tool was developed in the context of the IDEAS-Impact framework, Frontiers of Innovation Initiative (Shonkoff & Fisher, 2013), which offers a methodology for prototype and test innovation programs. The present randomized controlled trial included 92 mothers of 2-to-6-year-old children, randomly allocated into the intervention (IG, n = 50) or wait list control (CG, n = 42) groups. The project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee.
The program comprises the following steps: (i) one video record session of mother and child interactions in a play-situation (12 min); (ii) one face-to-face group session about positive interactions (reciprocity, responsiveness, and adaptive directivity); (iii) video-feedback remote strategy, by sending short videos to the mothers´ smartphones. The six videoclips include two parts: animated clips about positive mother-child interactions and the mother-child dyad personalized clips, including positive feedback through subtitles and emojis. Parenting outcomes were mothers-reported using the subscale of coercive practices of the Parenting and Family Adjustment Scales and the Parental Sense of Competence Scale. Child behavior problems were also reported by mothers measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. A structural equation model (SEM) was used to test direct and indirect model pathways. We included the intervention group as a predictor, parenting (post-intervention) as mediators, and child behavior problems (post-intervention) as outcome. Child sex was used as a control variable predicting child behavior problems. The pathways were considered statistically significant at p-value < 0.05. The results of the SEM model revealed adequate overall model fit, RMSEA < 0.001, SRMR= 0.011, CFI = 1.00, x2 (2) = 0.242; x2/df =0.121. Within this model, several significant direct pathways were found (Figure 1 and Table 1). The paths from the intervention group to mothers’ coercive parenting practices and sense of competence were statistically significant, suggesting that the intervention group presented a higher maternal sense of competence and fewer coercive practices. The path from coercive practice to children’s behavior problems was significant and positive, showing that children of mothers that reported less coercive practices presented fewer behavior problems. The indirect effect of the intervention on children’s behavior problems through coercive practices was confirmed b=-1.21 (SE=0.57), p=0.03. These findings suggest that the SBP was effective for improving mothers’ sense of competence and decreasing the use of coercive parenting practices, and this practice was related to the reduction of children's behavior problems. The present study has important implications for researchers and practitioners, suggesting that this innovative program is an effective remotely strategy with impact on parenting and child behavior outcomes.

Authors

• Elisa Rachel Pisani Altafim, Universidade de São Paulo (USP)
  Presenting Author

• Claudia Maria Gaspardo, University of Sao Paulo
  Non-Presenting Author

• Rebeca Cristina de OLIVEIRA, Universidade de São Paulo (USP)
  Non-Presenting Author

• Maria Beatriz Martins Linhares, Universidade de São Paulo (USP)
  Non-Presenting Author