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Unpacking the Impacts of a Universal Parenting Program on Child Behavior
Author(s) -
Altafim Elisa Rachel P.,
McCoy Dana C.,
Linhares Maria Beatriz M.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
child development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.103
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1467-8624
pISSN - 0009-3920
DOI - 10.1111/cdev.13491
Subject(s) - psychology , intervention (counseling) , unpacking , developmental psychology , behavior change , child rearing , parenting styles , perception , emotional regulation , baseline (sea) , child development , multiple baseline design , clinical psychology , social psychology , linguistics , philosophy , oceanography , neuroscience , psychiatry , geology
This study examined the theory of change of the ACT Raising Safe Kids parenting program, including whether intervention effects on children's behavior problems were explained by improvements in mothers’ reported parenting practices, as well as whether baseline child behavior problems moderated these relations. Adult mothers of 3‐to 8‐year‐old Brazilian children were assigned to the intervention ( n = 97) or control ( n = 46) groups. Results showed that the intervention improved mothers' perceptions of their parenting practices (positive discipline, emotional and behavioral regulation, and communication). Intervention‐induced reductions in children’s internalizing and externalizing behavior problems were mediated by improvements in mothers’ emotional and behavioral regulation. Program effects were strongest for children with high levels of baseline behavior problems.