title: Parent education programmes for special health care needs children: a systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this review was to examine parent education programmes for families with children with special health care needs, to better design interventions focusing on the psychosocial aspects of living with a child's chronic condition.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Studies of familial coping with children with special health care needs indicate high levels of parenting stress, with families with children with special health care needs at risk of major psychological and social disturbances and financial strain. Despite increased knowledge of the factors affecting children with special health care needs themselves, evidence for the effectiveness of preventative and treatment interventions in the form of parent education programmes remains limited.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic review using PRISMA guidelines.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multi database Boolean searches in EBSCO Discovery Services using the search terms 'complex/special health care needs children', 'child/pediatric/congenital heart disease', 'chronic illness (including diabetes, cancer and cystic fibrosis)', 'family coping', 'siblings' AND 'parenting/family support programs' were conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis of 13 included studies showed evidence for the effectiveness of both mixed-health condition and condition-specific parenting programmes delivered in a variety of modes. Three common core intervention approaches were: use of narrative therapy enabling families to tell their own stories, thus facilitating emotional processing and (co-) construction of meaning; a focus on strengthening protective factors such as enhancing parents' skills in communication, and behavioural management and provision of psycho-education to deepen parents' understanding of their child's condition and associated developmental challenges.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Irrespective of the type of outcome measures used in the studies, the review showed that there were positive gains and improvements across a range of areas of family functioning such as mental health, parenting, communication and problem-solving skills postprogramme.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Identification of what programme characteristics enhance functioning for families with children with special health care needs should encourage the design of effective interventions.
authors.affiliation: Heart Research Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.|Melbourne Graduate School of Education, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.|Centre on Behavioural Health, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Alun C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.affiliation: Heart Research Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.|Melbourne Graduate School of Education, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Rachel P-T
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.affiliation: Melbourne Graduate School of Education, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Frydenberg
authors.affiliation: Heart Research Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.|School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia.|Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.|Cabrini Centre for Allied Health Research and Education, Malvern, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Rosemary O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Higgins
authors.affiliation: Heart Research Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.|School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Barbara M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Murphy
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D004644:Emotions; D006266:Health Education; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: chronic illness; family support; parenting education; special health care needs children