How American Communities Can Help Parents Help Their Children

Article Review: Needs Assessment of Parent Education in Houston, Texas

Article Abstract

Study Objective: This study [1] sought to determine the level of the perceived need as well as the readiness of parents in the Houston community to attend evidence-based parenting classes.

Background of the Research: A growing body of evidence confirms the need for parental education concerning the importance of providing a nurturing and safe environment for children. Studies have shown that parent education reduces behavioral, emotional and social problems in young people, as well as reducing maternal depression and stress and the corresponding levels of child maltreatment. In addition, parental education also contributes to children’s readiness to attend school.

Study Design and Method: A Houston-based initiative called “Children at Risk” conducted a community needs assessment of parent education using key informant interviews, focus groups and archived data to determine the extent to which parents attended parenting classes, their interest in attending such classes and any barriers that might be involved.

Principal Results of the Study: The key findings that emerged from the study were the need for additional funding and the stigma that is associated with attendance at parenting classes.

Keywords: #parents; #children, #nurturing; #parenting classes

Introduction:

Statement of the Problem: Many of the social, emotional and behavioral problems that children develop which have lifelong implications can be attributed, at least in part, to a lack of safe, secure and nurturing relationships and environments. Research has shown time and again that interventions such as parenting classes can help improve the quality of life for young people and their parents in ways that reduce the above-mentioned problems as well helping children become better prepared for school attendance.

Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this study was to conduct a needs assessment of the Houston community in order to develop a better understanding concerning what services were currently available, willingness and ability of the community to implement programs to address gaps in these services, and the constraints to encouraging parents to attend evidence-based parent education programming.

Research Questions or Hypotheses and Limitations (if any): Although the researchers did not articulate any research questions or hypotheses, they did stress the need for additional funding for community-based resources as well as studies of this nature to keep abreast of any changes in parental education need or preferences.

Methodology:

Methods: This was an exploratory, qualitative study using a series of interviews with key informants, three focus groups and an analysis of evidence-based parent education initiatives in general and the Positive Parenting Program (“the Triple P”) in particular.

Participants: The key informants were drawn from local government agencies, nonprofit organizations, parent-teacher organizations, hospitals, educators, community-based health clinics, subject matter experts and faith-based organizations.

Data Collection Procedures: The qualitative data for this study was collected from 70 interviews, three focus groups, a synthesis of a literature review and an analysis of archived data from Texas public sector organizations that are responsible for childhood welfare.

Data Analysis Procedures: Notably, the researchers do not specifically describe their data analysis procedures, opting instead to describe the overall results of the needs assessment. They do, however, describe the themes they identified during this process suggesting that a thematic analysis of the qualitative data was used. In addition, the researchers also provide a summary of the other data sources described above to place their results in context.

Quality of the Literature Review:

While these researchers did not provide a novel literature review as part of this study, they did summarize the findings of a literature review they conducted to evaluate the effect of evidence-based parent education. In addition, Correa et al. also prefaced their study with a comprehensive introduction and description of the setting of the research.

Results:

Consistent with the nationwide trend, the results of this study showed that the vast majority of parents in Houston do not currently attend parenting classes. All told, 28 organizations, or 70%, completing a survey in time for the results to be included in the data analysis and 85% of the participants agreed with the study’s recommendations. The main constraints that were identified to the provision of evidence-based parent education included a dearth of adequate funding and the stigma that is associated with such attendance. In other words, parents in Houston like everywhere are reluctant to admit they need help raising their own children as if such concessions were an admission of failure.

Conclusions and Recommendations:

Based on the findings that emerged from their study, Correa et al. conclude that their research design helped them identify issues that might have otherwise gone undetected or overlooked, and they emphasize that these results served as the catalyst for the implementation of a pilot Triple P program with 80 staff who are trained in evidence-based parent education. Although the results of this intervention remained unknown at the time of publication, the researchers also conclude that this approach will provide similarly-situated communities in Texas as well as other states with the framework they need to make substantive differences in parents’ and children’s lives [1].

The overarching recommendations provided by Correa et al. was the need to make evidence-based parent education programming more accessible to parents in Houston and to educate the public concerning the ubiquity of the need and its importance in promoting long-term health and social benefits for children [1].

Discussion:

This was an especially timely research project given the epidemic of childhood obesity, substance abuse and opioid additions that are diminishing the health and quality of life of American communities across the country today. Just as the pundits and lawmakers debate the causes of mass shootings and hate crimes, so too do many other researchers who argue that it is all society’s fault without ever mentioning the critical role that parents play in raising their children to become well-adjusted, contributing members of American society. These issues make studies of this nature highly useful and relevant for the helping professions as well as legislators who may not know where taxpayer resources will do the most good. The study was more rigorous than most given the large number of participating individuals and community agencies and the researchers described their methodology and supporting rationale in sufficient detail to ensure the trustworthiness of their findings.

In addition, the soundness of methodology and study design also contributed to the applicability of this study’s findings to the larger Houston conurbation that encompasses more than 7 million Americans. For example, citing the need for improved parent education, a study by Hughes et al. assessed the impact of an evidence-based parenting education program to teach parents of young children about the importance of fresh fruits and vegetables in children’s diets and how to identify their preferences, how to encourage children to try new foods, and helping their children self-regulate their snacking behaviors [2]. Although the short-term effects of the intervention were minimal on children’s food preferences, the greater involvement of parents in their children dietary routine as regarded as a significant long-term outcome in addressing children obesity rates [2].