Preventive intervention for strengthening effective parenting practices: A randomized controlled trial

The present study evaluated the efficacy of the ACT Raising Safe Kids Parenting Program for improving parenting practices and reducing child behavior problems. Mothers of children aged 3 to 8 years were randomly allocated into the intervention (IG, n = 40) or wait list control (CG, n = 41) groups, and 67 caregivers were second informants on the children's behavior. Results showed that, after participation in the ACT program, the IG mothers reported improvements in their parenting practices, and the mothers and the other caregivers reported less child behavior problems. These positive improvements were maintained at the 3-4 month follow-up. During the waiting period the CG did not report changes in parents and child outcomes, however, after participating in the intervention, they also reported improvements in both outcomes. In conclusion, the ACT Program showed efficacy for improving the mothers' positive parenting practices and reducing the children's behavior problems.