Examines how to maximize the benefit of parenting programs aimed at low-income and/or minority parents, who often face extra hurdles when attempting to practice effective parenting. A study performed by the PAL research group of King’s College through the Webster-Stratton Incredible Years and SPOKES (Supporting Parents on Kids Education) programs tracked the success of a sensitive responding program, in which educational support and coaching are used to instruct parents how to provide predictable, nurturing parenting based on listening and responding to their children. Prior to the program, questionnaires were used to identify area children with behavioral problems, whose parents were then encouraged to attend the program. Participation in the program was equal across ethnic groups. Ninety percent of participants who dropped out of the program before completion did so due to other commitments rather than non-compliance, and 93 percent of participants reported themselves well or extremely satisfied with the program. Direct observation of the parents in a play task with their child after attending the program indicated that participants implemented sensitive responding techniques more frequently than the control group, including using calm discipline more frequently and demeaning criticisms less frequently. Participants who had attended five or more sessions improved the most, and improvement was equal across ethnic groups. Child attention and on-task behavior also showed a positive response. When parenting programs are attractive, well planned and supported, as well as offer a reading component, a large proportion of parents of all ethnicities will take part. Strategies should be devised to ensure that parents will be able to attend optimally 10 sessions to maximize the benefit of programming.
