Providing parenting help through schools led to a significant reduction in anxiety and behavioural problems among children, according to the results of a national study.
More than 4,500 parents/guardians from 380 schools across South Australia, Queensland, and Victoria were involved in the evaluation, which was led by the University of Adelaide in partnership with The University of Queensland and Monash University.
Parents of primary school age children were given access to three online seminars from the Triple P Positive Parenting Program, which included strategies designed to build on parents' existing strengths and confidence to manage their child's behaviour and to support their social and emotional wellbeing.
"Parents involved in the study reported significant improvements in their child's behaviour, their ability to manage emotions and relationships with their peers. Importantly, it also led to a reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression among primary school children," said Co-Chief Investigator Professor Chris Boyle from the University of Adelaide's School of Education.
Parents too reported improvements in their ability to regulate their own emotions, noting greater use of positive encouragement and a reduction in harsh parenting practices. Feedback also showed parents felt they had a better relationship with their children.
"This is positive to hear as parenting is one of the biggest modifiable factors in the mental health and wellbeing of children," said Professor Boyle.
94 per cent of parents involved in the study said they were highly satisfied with the outcomes of the seminars.
Attending just one of the sessions was associated with positive changes for parents, with multiple sessions linked to greater improvements.
"Positive parenting practices are linked to improvements in children's social, emotional behaviours and wellbeing as well as their performance at school. The value of delivering a low cost, easily accessible online program like this cannot be underestimated, particularly at a time when families are facing a range of pressures," said Professor Boyle.
The rising cost of living combined with the lingering effects of the covid-19 pandemic are impacting families, with children reporting increases in anxiety and challenges with developing positive relationships with their peers.
"This evidence-based program gives parents the knowledge and skills to support their child's learning and wellbeing," said Co-Chief Investigator Professor Matthew Sanders from The University of Queensland's Parenting and Family Support Centre.
"The interactive seminars contain vital information on how positive parenting can help parents and teachers understand why kids behave the way they do, while also providing practical tips to support their social and emotional development."
Associate Professor Kelly-Ann Allen is from Monash University's School of Educational Psychology and Counselling and led the Victorian arm of the project.
"This study demonstrates that small, practical interventions can have measurable benefits for families at scale. Supporting parenting through schools should be viewed as a cornerstone of national mental health strategy. One that is cost-effective, evidence-based, and strengthens our national approach to wellbeing," she said.
"We now need to ensure that all schools can deliver parenting support of this quality. The infrastructure exists. What is required is the commitment to embed these initiatives as part of how we care for children's mental health in Australia."
The results of the study have been published in the world's leading child psychology journal, the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.
"From a public health perspective, this research demonstrates that offering online parenting seminars through schools is an easy, effective way to reach parents. Better parenting leads to happier, healthier children and this is a lesson that we should be delivering to all schools across Australia," said Professor Sanders.
