Modeling Parenting Programs as an Interim Service for Families Waiting for Children's Mental Health Treatment.
Using a discrete choice conjoint experiment, we explored the design of parenting programs as an interim strategy for families waiting for children's mental health treatment. Latent class analysis yielded 4 segments with different design preferences. Simulations predicted the Fast-Paced Personal Contact segment, 22.1% of the sample, would prefer weekly therapist-led parenting groups. The Moderate-Paced Personal Contact segment (24.7%) preferred twice-monthly therapist-led parenting groups with twice-monthly lessons. The Moderate-Paced E-Contact segment (36.3%), preferred weekly to twice-monthly contacts, e-mail networking, and a program combining therapist-led sessions with the support of a computerized telephone e-coach. The Slow-Paced E-Contact segment (16.9%) preferred an approach combining monthly therapist-led sessions, e-coaching, and e-mail networking with other parents. Simulations predicted 45.3% of parents would utilize an option combining 5 therapist coaching calls with 5 e-coaching calls, a model that could reduce costs and extend the availability of interim services. Although 41.0% preferred weekly pacing, 58% were predicted to choose an interim parenting service conducted at a twice-monthly to monthly pace. The results of this study suggest that developing interim services reflecting parental preferences requires a choice of formats that includes parenting groups, telephone-coached distance programs, and e-coaching options conducted at a flexible pace.
a Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences , McMaster University.
Charles E
CE
Cunningham
Heather
H
Rimas
Yvonne
Y
Chen
Ken
K
Deal
Patrick
P
McGrath
Patricia
P
Lingley-Pottie
Graham J
GJ
Reid
Ellen
E
Lipman
Penny
P
Corkum
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014850:Waiting Lists