Effectiveness of a parent education intervention for at-risk families.
OBJECTIVE
Although many parenting programs exist to prevent child maltreatment, few are supported by research evidence. This study explored whether parents who completed the Bavolek Nurturing Program improved their parenting attitudes.


METHODS
Secondary analysis of data from a larger study involved a convenience sample of 154 families from 15 county child maltreatment prevention councils.


RESULTS
On the pretest, parents demonstrated scores associated with maladaptive parenting practices. Posttest scores were consistent with nurturing parenting attitudes.


CONCLUSIONS
Effective and readily accessible parent education programs are highly indicated for prevention of child maltreatment. It is important for nurses to have the information either to provide effective parent education interventions or to be able to refer parents to effective programs.
Cowen
P S
PS
College of Nursing, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA. perle-cowen@uiowa.edu
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007484:Iowa; D008960:Models, Psychological; D016487:Parenting; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D011204:Poverty Areas; D015397:Program Evaluation