title: Strengthening effective parenting practices over the long term: effects of a preventive intervention for parentally bereaved families.
abstract: This study tested the effect of the Family Bereavement Program (FBP), a preventive intervention for bereaved families, on effective parenting (e.g., caregiver warmth, consistent discipline) 6 years after program completion. Families (n = 101; 69% female caregivers; 77% Caucasian, 11% Hispanic) with children between ages 8 and 16 who had experienced the death of one parent were randomized to the FBP (n = 54) or a literature control condition (n = 47). Multiple regression analyses conducted within a multilevel framework indicated that the FBP had a significant positive impact on a multirater, multimeasure assessment of parenting at 6-year follow-up, controlling for pretest levels of parenting and child mental health problems. Mediation analyses showed that short-term program effects on parenting, including caregiver warmth and effective discipline, significantly mediated the impact of the FBP on effective parenting 6 years later. These findings indicate that a relatively cost-effective brief intervention for families who experienced a major stressor resulted in sustained effects on caregiver warmth and consistent discipline 6 years following the program.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-6005, USA. Melissa.Hagan@asu.edu
authors.forename: Melissa J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hagan
authors.forename: Jenn-Yun
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Tein
authors.forename: Irwin N
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Sandler
authors.forename: Sharlene A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Wolchik
authors.forename: Tim S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Ayers
authors.forename: Linda J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Luecken
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001601:Bereavement; D002648:Child; D002668:Child Rearing / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology