Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of a group-based family intervention program known as the Group
Positive Parenting Program (Triple P), with families in Japan. Reductions in children’s behavioral problems, changes in dysfunctional
parenting practices, and affects on parenting adjustment were examined. Participants of both the intervention and control
groups (N = 91 and N = 24, respectively) were recruited from mothers visiting health clinics in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa. Intervention
and control groups were assessed in terms of child behavior (Strength and Difficulty Questionnaire, SDQ), parenting style
(Parenting Scale, PS), and parenting adjustment (Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale, DASS; and Parenting Experience Survey, PES),
both pre- and postintervention. A repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance was used to determine the intervention’s
effects. The SDQ score for the conduct problems subscale indicated a significant intervention effect. In addition, the postintervention
scores for all subscales of the PS, the DASS depression subscale and total scores, as well as ratings for perceived difficulty
of parenting in the PES, were significantly reduced in the intervention group alone. The PES also revealed that confidence
in parenting significantly increased only in the intervention group. Group Triple P is effective in decreasing child conduct
problems, dysfunctional parenting practices, depression, anxiety, stress, and the perceived level of parenting difficulty,
as well as in improving parenting confidence, among Japanese families.
Positive Parenting Program (Triple P), with families in Japan. Reductions in children’s behavioral problems, changes in dysfunctional
parenting practices, and affects on parenting adjustment were examined. Participants of both the intervention and control
groups (N = 91 and N = 24, respectively) were recruited from mothers visiting health clinics in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa. Intervention
and control groups were assessed in terms of child behavior (Strength and Difficulty Questionnaire, SDQ), parenting style
(Parenting Scale, PS), and parenting adjustment (Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale, DASS; and Parenting Experience Survey, PES),
both pre- and postintervention. A repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance was used to determine the intervention’s
effects. The SDQ score for the conduct problems subscale indicated a significant intervention effect. In addition, the postintervention
scores for all subscales of the PS, the DASS depression subscale and total scores, as well as ratings for perceived difficulty
of parenting in the PES, were significantly reduced in the intervention group alone. The PES also revealed that confidence
in parenting significantly increased only in the intervention group. Group Triple P is effective in decreasing child conduct
problems, dysfunctional parenting practices, depression, anxiety, stress, and the perceived level of parenting difficulty,
as well as in improving parenting confidence, among Japanese families.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10826-011-9448-1
- Authors
- Takeo Fujiwara, Department of Social Medicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 157-8535 Japan
- Noriko Kato, Department of Health Promotion, National Institute of Public Health, Wako-shi, Saitama, Japan
- Matthew R. Sanders, School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD Australia
- Journal Journal of Child and Family Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-2843
- Print ISSN 1062-1024