The effect of parent education program for preschool children with developmental disabilities: A randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a parent education program, the Happy Parenting program, for Chinese preschool children with developmental disabilities.


METHODS
This study adopted randomized controlled trial design without blinding. Participants were randomized into intervention group (n=62) who were offered the Happy Parenting program delivered by educational psychologists and trainee educational psychologists, and a control group (n=57) who were offered a parent talk after the intervention group had completed treatment. Parent participants were requested to complete questionnaires on their children's behavior, their parenting stress, and discipline strategies.


RESULTS
Analysis was by intention-to-treat. The results indicated significant decrease in child problem behaviors, parenting stress and dysfunctional discipline strategies in the intervention group at post-intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provided promising evidence on the effectiveness of a parent education program, the Happy Parenting program, for Chinese preschool children with developmental disabilities.
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong. Electronic address: ssleung@polyu.edu.hk.
Cynthia
C
Leung
Heep Hong Society, Hong Kong.
Stanley
S
Chan
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.
Tiney
T
Lam
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.
Sharon
S
Yau
The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Sandra
S
Tsang
D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D007805:Language Development Disorders; D008875:Middle Aged; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education*; D000066553:Problem Behavior; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*
Developmental disability; Parent training; Preschool children