Abstract
D.Ed.(Educational Psychology)
The most effective interventions for managing social, emotional and behaviour problems in children and adolescents are parenting interventions that are based on social learning principles. The research for this evaluation focused on the question of whether the SmartChoiceParenting Programme (SCPP), a programme based on the adult-child educative relationship, can assist and benefit parents who have a child who has been diagnosed with a barrier to learning. A survey of the literature revealed that the most researched evidence-based parenting programmes appear to be focused on helping parents acquire skills and an understanding of their role in dealing with their child’s behaviour and academic performance.
However, in order for it to be classified as an evidence-based positive parenting programme, it was important that it met the criteria which would enable it to be seen as such. Participants in the study consisted of 11 participants, four couples and three single mothers with a child under ten years of age and who had been diagnosed with some or other barriers to learning. Five questionnaires were completed by the participants pre- and post the programme, with the post-test questionnaires being completed not less than four months after the second session of the programme. On measures of parental adjustment, no significant difference was found post- test regarding depression, anxiety and stress in the parents. However, the other post-test questionnaires completed indicated significant positive changes had taken place regarding the child’s behaviour and parenting practices and these were still being maintained four months after participating in the programme.
The findings showed a change in the scores of the pre- and post- test for individual parents. Feedback and results from both the qualitative and quantitative measures used to evaluate the SCPP showed that the majority of parents had observed positive changes in their children’s behaviour and attitude, as well as a reduction in the difficulties that they were experiencing with their children. Most of the participants reported a more calm atmosphere in the home as they were able to assert themselves in a controlled manner after implementation of the programme. Although the sample was small, the findings correlated with the findings of a similar study done with the Triple P by Markie-Dadds and Sanders (2006) and give...