Enhancing coparenting, parenting, and child self-regulation: effects of family foundations 1 year after birth.
This study investigated whether a psycho-educational program with modest dosage (eight sessions), delivered in a universal framework through childbirth education programs and targeting the coparenting relationship would have a positive impact on observed family interaction and child behavior at 6-month follow-up (child age 1 year). One hundred sixty-nine couples, randomized to intervention and control conditions, participated in videotaped family observation tasks at pretest (during pregnancy) and at child age 1 year (2003-2007). Coparenting, parenting, couple relationship, and child self-regulatory behaviors were coded by teams of raters. Intent-to-treat analyses of program effects controlled for age, education, and social desirability. Evidence of significant (p < 0.05) program effects at follow-up emerged in all four domains. Effect sizes ranged from 0.28 to 1.01. Targeting the coparenting relationship at the transition to parenthood represents an effective, non-stigmatizing means of promoting parenting quality and child adjustment.
Feinberg
Mark E
ME
Prevention Research Center, The Pennsylvania State University, S-109 Henderson Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA. mef11@psu.edu
Kan
Marni L
ML
Goslin
Megan C
MC
D000328:Adult; D002652:Child Behavior; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D016487:Parenting; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult