Introducing Parenting Support in Primary Care: Professionals’ Perspectives on the Implementation of a Positive Parenting Program

While positive parenting programs are an initiative aligned with the Family-Centered Care model and the Council of Europe’s Recommendation on Positive Parenting, implementation in healthcare centers remains a challenge. The aims of this study were to (1) investigate how the hybrid version (online course plus face-to-face activities) of the program “Gain Health & Wellbeing From 0 to 3” was implemented in Spain from professionals’ perspective, and (2) explore the perceived impact of this hybrid version of the program on the implementers’ professional development. We used a qualitative mixed-methods design that included focus groups and surveys. Fifty professionals from 17 centers completed the survey on professional development. Thirty-one of these also participated in the focus groups to address the first aim. The key themes identified from the focus group were professional training, parent recruitment, program features, organizational issues, parental responses, and program sustainability. Survey results related to positive professional impact fit nicely with subthemes concerning collaboration with parents, parental needs, center coordination, and future expectations. The perceived relevance of the parenting program and its positive impact on the implementers’ professional development were potential predictors for the adoption and sustainability of the program in the public health system.

Facilitators and Barriers of Mother Engagement in a Home-based Parenting Program Following Concerns of Child Maltreatment

The current study aimed to explore mothers’ perceptions of facilitators and barriers to engagement in the HoPES program, an intensive home-visiting intervention for families with young children identified as having child maltreatment concerns. Seven mothers who had participated in the program participated in semi-structured interviews about their experiences. Thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo Version 12. Themes relating to facilitators of engagement included the following: (1) clinician behaviours; (2) treatment relevance/acceptability; (3) strong therapeutic relationship; (4) mothers’ cognitions and beliefs about treatment and (5) program delivery. Themes relating to barriers to engagement included the following: (1) contextual/external barriers to treatment; (2) treatment relevance/acceptability; (3) mothers’ cognitions and beliefs about treatment and (4) program processes. This study highlights the important role which services and clinicians have in engaging parents at risk of child maltreatment. Specifically, the prioritisation of the therapeutic relationship through all intervention processes, and the utilisation of strength-based approaches, may facilitate engagement.