A Service-Based Evaluation of the Effectiveness of an All-Day Group Parenting Program

Parent training programs such as the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program improve outcomes for both children and parents. However, many parents who need support still do not access parenting programs, with common barriers including time constraints and inconvenience. Group Triple P was designed to be delivered over 8 consecutive weeks, but in response to parent demands has been delivered in an adapted format (All-Day Group Triple P) at the Child and Family Psychology Clinic, the University of Queensland. All-Day Group Triple P consists of an 8-h all-day group followed by 4 weekly telephone calls, which is a more time-efficient and convenient delivery format for parents. This service-based evaluation examines the effectiveness of the Group Triple P when delivered as an all-day group followed by four telephone calls. Retrospective pre-post data from 2001 to 2011 collected during service delivery was analyzed. Participants were 159 mothers and 144 fathers. Significant improvements in child problems, parenting styles, parental adjustment, and parental disagreement were reported, with no improvement in parental relationship quality. Reliable and clinically significant improvements were demonstrated, and high levels of program satisfaction reported. This study highlights the potential benefits of providing more convenient and efficient services in order to reach more families in need.