A qualitative study of mechanisms underlying effects of a parenting intervention in rural Liberia

Parenting interventions can reduce child maltreatment and improve child outcomes in high-risk settings, but little is known about mechanisms underlying effects. This study presents qualitative findings on mechanisms of change from a randomized trial of a parenting intervention in Liberia. Participan...

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Main Authors: Giusto, A, Friis, E, Sim, A, Chase, R, Zayzay, J, Green, E, Puffer, E
Format: Journal article
Published: Springer 2017
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author Giusto, A
Friis, E
Sim, A
Chase, R
Zayzay, J
Green, E
Puffer, E
author_facet Giusto, A
Friis, E
Sim, A
Chase, R
Zayzay, J
Green, E
Puffer, E
author_sort Giusto, A
collection OXFORD
description Parenting interventions can reduce child maltreatment and improve child outcomes in high-risk settings, but little is known about mechanisms underlying effects. This study presents qualitative findings on mechanisms of change from a randomized trial of a parenting intervention in Liberia. Participants (N = 30) completed semi-structured interviews, and thematic content analysis was conducted from transcripts. Results suggest that learning about effects of violence on child development and discussing the value of empathy for children strengthened caregivers' sense of identity as nurturers and protectors. This in turn drove efforts to decrease harsh discipline. As a result, children expressed less fear, increasing opportunities for positive interactions; shared enjoyment maintained reduced harsh treatment. Caregivers also described recognizing that physical punishment was often ineffective and using new non-violent discipline skills alongside emotion regulation skills to facilitate behavior change. Participants also described reduced couples conflict and more peaceful home environments associated with increased self-identification as role models.
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spelling oxford-uuid:264d1c56-c1df-495f-b551-772f70f03aa52022-03-26T12:00:07ZA qualitative study of mechanisms underlying effects of a parenting intervention in rural LiberiaJournal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:264d1c56-c1df-495f-b551-772f70f03aa5Symplectic Elements at OxfordSpringer2017Giusto, AFriis, ESim, AChase, RZayzay, JGreen, EPuffer, EParenting interventions can reduce child maltreatment and improve child outcomes in high-risk settings, but little is known about mechanisms underlying effects. This study presents qualitative findings on mechanisms of change from a randomized trial of a parenting intervention in Liberia. Participants (N = 30) completed semi-structured interviews, and thematic content analysis was conducted from transcripts. Results suggest that learning about effects of violence on child development and discussing the value of empathy for children strengthened caregivers' sense of identity as nurturers and protectors. This in turn drove efforts to decrease harsh discipline. As a result, children expressed less fear, increasing opportunities for positive interactions; shared enjoyment maintained reduced harsh treatment. Caregivers also described recognizing that physical punishment was often ineffective and using new non-violent discipline skills alongside emotion regulation skills to facilitate behavior change. Participants also described reduced couples conflict and more peaceful home environments associated with increased self-identification as role models.
spellingShingle Giusto, A
Friis, E
Sim, A
Chase, R
Zayzay, J
Green, E
Puffer, E
A qualitative study of mechanisms underlying effects of a parenting intervention in rural Liberia
title A qualitative study of mechanisms underlying effects of a parenting intervention in rural Liberia
title_full A qualitative study of mechanisms underlying effects of a parenting intervention in rural Liberia
title_fullStr A qualitative study of mechanisms underlying effects of a parenting intervention in rural Liberia
title_full_unstemmed A qualitative study of mechanisms underlying effects of a parenting intervention in rural Liberia
title_short A qualitative study of mechanisms underlying effects of a parenting intervention in rural Liberia
title_sort qualitative study of mechanisms underlying effects of a parenting intervention in rural liberia
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