66 - Promoting Positive Parenting During COVID-19 Online: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial among Filipino Parents Living in California

Poster Number: 66
Publication Number: 66.202

Warren Christopher L. Aguiling, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Sylmar, CA, United States; Jocelyn Castro, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, San Bernardino, CA, United States; Wendy Mack, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Aviril Sepulveda, Nurture Collective, Sherman Oaks, CA, United States; Dean M. Coffey, Children's Hospital Los Angeles/Keck School of Medicine of USC/University of Southern California, LOS ANGELES, CA, United States; Michele D. Kipke, USC, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Lawrence A. Palinkas, University if Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Joyce R. Javier, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Ls Crescenta, CA, United States

Background: Filipino  youth living in the United States  have significant behavioral health problems, including high rates of adolescent depression and suicidal behavior. The COVID-19 pandemic has added additional stressors to Filipino families given 25% of adults are frontline health care workers, the disproportionate share of Filipino nurses that died from COVID-19, and rising youth mental health issues exacerbated by increasing Anti-Asian discrimination. Suboptimal parent-child relationships and harsh discipline are critical risk factors for behavioral health problems among youth. Evidence-based parenting programs are designed to promote positive parenting practices and improve child behavior, yet few have been implemented online.

Objective: This study aims to test the efficacy of the Incredible Years® School Age Program, an online evidence-based parenting intervention among Filipino parents living in California.

Design/Methods: Forty-nine parents of children aged 8 to 12 years were recruited from churches, schools, clinics, community-based organizations, and social media and randomly assigned to either an intervention or a waiting-list control group.  Parent perceptions of child behavior, parenting practices, and parenting stress were obtained at baseline using validated assessments. Parents in the experimental group attended IY, which consisted of 12 weekly 2-hour sessions. Following IY, follow-up assessments were completed in the experimental and waiting-list control groups. Analysis of covariance adjusting for baseline measures was used to compare 3-month changes in trial outcome in the intervention group versus the control group.  

Results: Thirty-nine parents completed both a baseline and follow-up survey with a median attendance of 11 out of 12 classes for the intervention group (n=18). Analysis of variance comparing 3-month changes (pre/post intervention) changes revealed that the program had a statistically significant positive impact on parenting practices (positive verbal discipline, praise and incentives, and clear expectations) and parent’s perception of their child’s behavior (internalizing symptoms). Sample feedback from parents include: “I appreciated how we talked about being Filipino and how that’s impacted us in our parenting; Thank you for this program. I am more conscious about my words and actions as I parent my son; It’s comforting to know all who are participating have a common ground in parenting and similar goals.”Conclusion(s): Results support the feasibility of offering an online evidence-based parenting program to promote positive parenting and decrease child internalizing behaviors.
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