title: A randomized controlled trial evaluating a parenting program designed specifically for grandparents.
abstract: Grandparents providing regular child care to grandchildren contribute to the nurturing environment in which children are raised. This study evaluated the efficacy of a behavioral family intervention designed specifically for grandparents, Grandparent Triple P. Fifty-four grandparents (M = 60.89) and 48 parents (M = 34.52) participated in the evaluation. Grandparents predominantly provided between 12 and 20 h of care per week (64.81%), to a grandchild (62% male) aged between 2 and 9 years (M = 4.42). Families were randomly assigned to one of two conditions (intervention or grandparent care-as-usual) and were assessed using a multiple informant approach at three time points (preintervention, postintervention, and six-month follow-up). Relative to the grandparent care-as-usual group, significant short-term improvements were found in the intervention group on grandparent-reported child behavior problems; parenting confidence; grandparent depression, anxiety, stress; and improved relationship with the parent. Parents also reported significant reductions in child behavior problems, despite not participating in the program. Short-term effects were predominantly maintained at six-month follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Parenting and Family Support Centre, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane 4072, Australia. Electronic address: j.kirby@psy.uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: James N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Kirby
authors.affiliation: Parenting and Family Support Centre, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane 4072, Australia. Electronic address: matts@psy.uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Matthew R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Sanders
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D002654:Child Care / Q000523:psychology; D002668:Child Rearing / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Behavioral family intervention; Grandparent; Randomized controlled trial; Triple P