Professor University of Rhode Island Kingston, Rhode Island
Recent research has explored preventative parenting interventions; however, most publicly and easily accessible resources are not evidence-based. Many pilot studies and RCTs of online programs demonstrate promising results; yet few trials have explored the impact of single-session online interventions.The EBB and Flow Program is a brief, evidence-informed online psychoeducational intervention that teaches parenting strategies (i.e., minimization of accommodation, authoritative parenting, process praise) associated with positive child outcomes, including reduced anxiety and increased resilience. The current study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the EBB and Flow Program. The sample included 68 adults (Mage= 35.5 years, 85.1% female, 14.9% male, 69.1% White, 14.7% multiracial, 7.4% Native American, 4.5% Asian, 1.5% Black, 7.7% Hispanic) with a 3- to 7-year-old child. Participants were randomized into either the control (n=38) or intervention group (n=30). The control group watched a neutral video on parenting that does not provide information regarding any specific parenting strategies, and the intervention group watched The EBB and Flow Program modules. All participants answered questions about parenting vignettes associated with the skills discussed in the EBB and Flow Program. Afterwards, the intervention group completed a series of feasibility and acceptability items related to the intervention. Descriptive statistics assessed feasibility and acceptability of the EBB and Flow Program. Findings indicate that 96.6% of intervention group (n=30) felt both that the program contained helpful strategies and that it was easy to understand. Similarly, 93.2% of participants reported feeling confident that they could use the strategies and 96.7% reported that their child would benefit if they used these strategies. A majority (93.2%) also reported they were excited to try out the strategies presented in the EBB and Flow program and 86.2% reported that they enjoyed watching the videos. Similarly, a majority (93.3%) reported they would recommend the program to a friend and 96.7% of participants reported that they would apply what they learned in the future. Preliminary findings suggest that the EBB and Flow Program is an acceptable and feasible means of providing caregivers information on evidence-based parenting strategies. Future analyses will explore post-intervention and 3-month feedback regarding the EBB and Flow Program and will assess the impact of this intervention on a variety of family outcomes, including parental self-efficacy, family resilience, and child anxiety.
.jpg "Maria C. DiFonte, M.A. photo")
