Developing parenting programs to prevent child health risk behaviors: a practice model

Abstract

Research indicates that developing public health programs to modify parenting behaviors could lead to multiple beneficial health outcomes for children. Developing feasible effective parenting programs requires an approach that applies a theory-based model of parenting to a specific domain of child health and engages participant representatives in intervention development. This article describes this approach to intervention development in detail. Our presentation emphasizes three points that provide key insights into the goals and procedures of parenting program development. These are a generalized theoretical model of parenting derived from the child development literature, an established eight-step parenting intervention development process and an approach to integrating experiential learning methods into interventions for parents and children. By disseminating this framework for a systematic theory-based approach to developing parenting programs, we aim to support the program development efforts of public health researchers and practitioners who recognize the potential of parenting programs to achieve primary prevention of health risk behaviors in children.

Fig. 1.

Model of parenting variables, adapted from Darling and Steinberg's integrative model.

Fig. 2.

Eight-step parenting intervention development process.

Fig. 3.

Step 1: logic model for the Smoke-free Kids intervention.

Fig. 4.

Smoke-free Kids activity guide cover page.

Fig. 5.

Smoke-Free Kids activity: Why doesn't your parent want you to smoke?

Fig. 6.

Smoke-Free Kids activity: You'll be cool if you don't get fooled.

Fig. 7.

Smoke-Free Kids activity: How to refuse so you don't lose.

Fig. 8.

Smoke-Free Kids activity: Our Smoke-Free Kids agreement.