Extended parenting education in an early parenting centre: A mixed-methods study

Abstract

This article reports findings from a process and impact study of a residential early parenting centre programme in Australia. The programme supports parents with young children under the age of three, referred from health and child protection services. Multiple sources of data were used from interviews, focus groups, direct observations, observer notes and a parenting sense of competence questionnaire. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analyses, and paired t-tests were used to test data from the questionnaire. Three themes emerged from thematic analysis of the qualitative data: engaging families, building parenting capacity and transitioning back to the community. Parents’ perceptions of parent competence improved significantly between admission and discharge for participating families. Detailed accounts of the way in which nurses work to achieve positive outcomes in relation to parenting confidence and satisfaction in the short term have provided useful insights into often taken-for-granted support processes in working with referred parents. The complexity of the nurses’ role and implications for nursing practice in residential parenting centres are discussed. Future research is warranted to determine longer-term benefits of this programme being delivered in a residential early parenting centre. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved)Ellen Barron Family Centre, Child and Youth Community Health Services, Children’s Health Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. Release Date: 20170126. Publication Type: Journal (0100), Peer Reviewed Journal (0110). Format Covered: Electronic. Document Type: Journal Article. Language: EnglishGrant Information: Berry, Karen. Major Descriptor: Child Care; Community Services; Parent Training. Minor Descriptor: Nurses; Parenting. Classification: Community & Social Services (3373). Population: Human (10); Male (30); Female (40). Location: Australia. Age Group: Adulthood (18 yrs & older) (300). Tests & Measures: Observational Checklist; Parenting Sense of Competence Scale DOI: 10.1037/t01311-000. Methodology: Empirical Study; Interview; Qualitative Study; Quantitative Study. References Available: Y. Page Count: 10. Issue Publication Date: Dec, 2016. Copyright Statement: The Author(s). 2016.Sponsor: Queensland Nurses’ Union, Australia. Grant: 1000AUD. Other Details: Registered Nurse Scholarship. Recipients: Berry, Karen <br />