An Internet-Based Parent Training With Telephone Coaching on Managing Disruptive Behavior in Children at Special Family Counseling Centers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Feasibility Study

Background: There is growing concern about the short- and long-term impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic will have on the mental health and psychosocial well-being of children and families. There are no existing studies about feasibility and outcomes using internet-based parent training programs with telephone coaching for disruptive behavioral problems in childhood during the COVID-19 pandemic in clinical settings.Objective: This study explored how the Strongest Families Smart Website (SFSW) parent training program, with telephone coaching, provided support during the COVID-19 pandemic at specialist family counseling centers in Helsinki, Finland, when restrictions made face-to-face counseling impossible. This study followed the success of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) and its implementation study of the SFSW parent training program by primary care child health clinics. The aim was to improve parenting skills, so that parents could tackle disruptive behavior by developing positive parent-child relationships. It started in May 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its height in Finland.Methods: In total, 8 family counseling centers in Helsinki identified 50 referrals aged 3-8 years with high levels of parent-reported disruptive behavioral problems. Child psychopathology and functioning and parental skills and well-being were measured at baseline, posttreatment, and 6 months later using a range of tools. The data were extracted from questionnaires completed by the parents.Results: We found that 44 (88%) of the 50 families completed the whole 11-session parent training program. Most of the children (n=48, 96%) had definitive or severe behavioral problems when they were initially screened by the centers, but with those assessed at the 6-month follow-up (n=45, 90%), this dropped to 58% (n=26). There were significant changes from baseline to 6-month follow-up in most of the child psychopathology measures, including the Child Behavior Checklist-Parent Report Form (CBCL) total score (mean change 16.3, SE 3.0, 95% CI 10.2-22.3; PConclusions: The program proved to be an effective method for improving parenting skills and child psychopathology and functioning. The parents were satisfied with the program, and the dropout rate was exceptionally low. The study shows that the training program could be implemented in specialist clinical settings and during crisis conditions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.</div

An Internet-Based Parent Training With Telephone Coaching on Managing Disruptive Behavior in Children at Special Family Counseling Centers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Feasibility Study

BackgroundThere is growing concern about the short- and long-term impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic will have on the mental health and psychosocial well-being of children and families. There are no existing studies about feasibility and outcomes using internet-based parent training programs with telephone coaching for disruptive behavioral problems in childhood during the COVID-19 pandemic in clinical settings. ObjectiveThis study explored how the Strongest Families Smart Website (SFSW) parent training program, with telephone coaching, provided support during the COVID-19 pandemic at specialist family counseling centers in Helsinki, Finland, when restrictions made face-to-face counseling impossible. This study followed the success of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) and its implementation study of the SFSW parent training program by primary care child health clinics. The aim was to improve parenting skills, so that parents could tackle disruptive behavior by developing positive parent-child relationships. It started in May 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its height in Finland. MethodsIn total, 8 family counseling centers in Helsinki identified 50 referrals aged 3-8 years with high levels of parent-reported disruptive behavioral problems. Child psychopathology and functioning and parental skills and well-being were measured at baseline, posttreatment, and 6 months later using a range of tools. The data were extracted from questionnaires completed by the parents. ResultsWe found that 44 (88%) of the 50 families completed the whole 11-session parent training program. Most of the children (n=48, 96%) had definitive or severe behavioral problems when they were initially screened by the centers, but with those assessed at the 6-month follow-up (n=45, 90%), this dropped to 58% (n=26). There were significant changes from baseline to 6-month follow-up in most of the child psychopathology measures, including the Child Behavior Checklist-Parent Report Form (CBCL) total score (mean change 16.3, SE 3.0, 95% CI 10.2-22.3; P<.001) and externalizing score (mean change 7.0, SE 1.0, 95% CI 4.9-9.0; P<.001). When parenting skills were measured with the Parenting Scale (PS), they showed significant changes from baseline to 6-month follow-up in total scores (mean change 0.5, SE 0.1, 95% CI 0.4-0.7; P<.001). Parents showed significant change in the stress subscore (mean change 3.9, SE 0.8, 95% CI 2.2-5.6; P<.001). Of the parents who filled in the satisfaction questionnaire (n=45, 90%), 42 (93%) reported high satisfaction in the skills and 44 (98%) in the professionalism of the family coaches. ConclusionsThe program proved to be an effective method for improving parenting skills and child psychopathology and functioning. The parents were satisfied with the program, and the dropout rate was exceptionally low. The study shows that the training program could be implemented in specialist clinical settings and during crisis conditions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic

Amningshandledning : En utredning om hur amningshandledning upplevs och

Folkhälsans förbund och förbundet för Mödra– och skyddshem har ett samarbetsprojekt ”Amning utan stress” som pågår mellan åren 2013–2016. Avsikten med projektet är att förbättra familjers möjlighet att få stöd i amningen, då amning är en central del av det tidiga föräldraskapet. Examensarbetet är ett beställningsarbete av Folkhälsans förbund och förbundet för Mödra– och skyddshem. Syftet med examensarbetet är att reda ut hur amningshandledning upplevs av mammor, pappor, professionella, studerande och doulor samt att reda ut hur amningshandledning förverkligas. Metoder som används i examensarbetet är litteraturstudier och fokusgruppsdiskussioner. Teoridelen i examensarbetet fokuserar på amning och handledning samt hur amningshandledning förverkligas. Resultaten från fokusgruppsdiskussionerna visade att mammorna upplevde amningshandledningen på sjukhuset som givande och konkret. De hade beslutat att försöka amma redan före de hade fått amningsstöd. Handledningen för pappor påverkade inte deras roll i amningen. Professionella upplevde att de kan ge god handledning, medan studerande upplevde att de kan ge god handledning i de vanligaste situationerna. Amningshandledningen upplevs som utmanande bland professionella och studerande och de använder sig av olika metoder och material i handledningen. Förebyggande arbete inleds redan innan barnet är fött. Doulan upplevde att de kan vara ett stort stöd för hela familjen, men de upplevde även att de fungerar osynligt både i samarbetet med personalen på sjukhuset samt rådgivningen.Folkhälsans förbund and förbundet för Mödra- och skyddshem are collaborating on the project "Breastfeeding without stress" during the years 2013-2016. The purpose of the project is to improve the possibilities for families to receive support for breastfeeding, as breastfeeding is a central part of early parenthood. The thesis is ordered by Folkhälsans förbund and förbundet för Mödra- och skyddshem. The aim of this thesis is to clarify how breastfeeding counselling is realised and how it is perceived by mothers, fathers, professionals, students and doulas. Methods used in this thesis are literature reviews and focus group discussions. The theory part of this thesis focuses on breastfeeding, counselling, breastfeeding counselling and breastfeeding counselling related to groups mentioned. The result showed that mothers experienced breastfeeding counselling at the maternity ward as worthwhile and concrete. The decision to try to breastfeed was made before receiving breastfeeding counselling. Breastfeeding counselling for fathers did not affect their role in breastfeeding. Professionals experienced that they are able to give good counselling, while students perceived that they are able to give good counselling during normal situations. Breastfeeding counselling is considered challenging by professionals and by students and for counselling they use different methods and materials. Preventive work is initiated even before the child is born. Doulas perceived that they can be a support for the whole family, but they also experienced that they function invisibly both in collaboration with the staff of the hospital as well as with the health clinic

Amningshandledning : En utredning om hur amningshandledning upplevs och förverkligas

Folkhälsans förbund och förbundet för Mödra– och skyddshem har ett samarbetsprojekt ”Amning utan stress” som pågår mellan åren 2013–2016. Avsikten med projektet är att förbättra familjers möjlighet att få stöd i amningen, då amning är en central del av det tidiga föräldraskapet. Examensarbetet är ett beställningsarbete av Folkhälsans förbund och förbundet för Mödra– och skyddshem. Syftet med examensarbetet är att reda ut hur amningshandledning upplevs av mammor, pappor, professionella, studerande och doulor samt att reda ut hur amningshandledning förverkligas. Metoder som används i examensarbetet är litteraturstudier och fokusgruppsdiskussioner. Teoridelen i examensarbetet fokuserar på amning och handledning samt hur amningshandledning förverkligas. Resultaten från fokusgruppsdiskussionerna visade att mammorna upplevde amningshandledningen på sjukhuset som givande och konkret. De hade beslutat att försöka amma redan före de hade fått amningsstöd. Handledningen för pappor påverkade inte deras roll i amningen. Professionella upplevde att de kan ge god handledning, medan studerande upplevde att de kan ge god handledning i de vanligaste situationerna. Amningshandledningen upplevs som utmanande bland professionella och studerande och de använder sig av olika metoder och material i handledningen. Förebyggande arbete inleds redan innan barnet är fött. Doulan upplevde att de kan vara ett stort stöd för hela familjen, men de upplevde även att de fungerar osynligt både i samarbetet med personalen på sjukhuset samt rådgivningen.Folkhälsans förbund and förbundet för Mödra- och skyddshem are collaborating on the project "Breastfeeding without stress" during the years 2013-2016. The purpose of the project is to improve the possibilities for families to receive support for breastfeeding, as breastfeeding is a central part of early parenthood. The thesis is ordered by Folkhälsans förbund and förbundet för Mödra- och skyddshem. The aim of this thesis is to clarify how breastfeeding counselling is realised and how it is perceived by mothers, fathers, professionals, students and doulas. Methods used in this thesis are literature reviews and focus group discussions. The theory part of this thesis focuses on breastfeeding, counselling, breastfeeding counselling and breastfeeding counselling related to groups mentioned. The result showed that mothers experienced breastfeeding counselling at the maternity ward as worthwhile and concrete. The decision to try to breastfeed was made before receiving breastfeeding counselling. Breastfeeding counselling for fathers did not affect their role in breastfeeding. Professionals experienced that they are able to give good counselling, while students perceived that they are able to give good counselling during normal situations. Breastfeeding counselling is considered challenging by professionals and by students and for counselling they use different methods and materials. Preventive work is initiated even before the child is born. Doulas perceived that they can be a support for the whole family, but they also experienced that they function invisibly both in collaboration with the staff of the hospital as well as with the health clinic