Open AccessA review of Australian Government funding of parenting intervention research
Author(s) -
Havighurst Sophie S.,
Chainey Carys,
Doyle Frances L.,
Higgins Daryl J.,
Mathews Ben,
Mazzucchelli Trevor G.,
ZimmerGembeck Melanie,
Andriessen Karl,
Cobham Vanessa E.,
Cross Donna,
Dadds Mark R.,
Dawe Sharon,
Gray Kylie M.,
Guastella Adam J.,
Harnett Paul,
Haslam Divna M.,
Middeldorp Christel M.,
Morawska Alina,
Ohan Jeneva L.,
Sanders Matthew R.,
Stallman Helen M.,
Tonge Bruce J.,
Toumbourou John W.,
Turner Karen M.T.,
Williams Kate E.,
Yap Marie B.H.,
Nicholson Jan M.
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.946
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1753-6405
pISSN - 1326-0200
DOI - 10.1111/1753-6405.13235
Subject(s) - psychological intervention , government (linguistics) , intervention (counseling) , mental health , child health , medical research , medicine , psychology , nursing , family medicine , medical education , psychiatry , linguistics , philosophy , pathology
Objectives : Parenting is central to children's optimal development and accounts for a substantial proportion of the variance in child outcomes, including up to 40% of child mental health. Parenting is also one of the most modifiable, proximal, and direct factors for preventing and treating a range of children's problems and enhancing wellbeing. To determine the effectiveness of new approaches to parenting intervention, and to evaluate how to optimise reach and uptake, sufficient funding must be allocated for high quality research. Method : We reviewed funding awarded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and Australian Research Council (ARC) for parenting intervention research during 2011–2020. Results : Parenting intervention research received 0.25% of the NHMRC and ARC research budgets. Conclusions : There is a substantial mismatch between the funding of parenting intervention research and the impact of improved parenting on short‐ and long‐term child outcomes. To rectify this, it is critical that Australian Government funding schemes include parenting interventions as priority areas for funding. Implications for public health : Changes in allocation of funding to parenting research will support the establishment of evidence for the effective development, implementation and dissemination of parenting interventions to maximise health outcomes for children and their families.