Effects of parental intervention on behavioural and psychological outcomes for Kurdish parents and their children

Background: Parenting interventions are rarely offered in developing countries and there is an urgent need to include low-income countries. Aims: To examine the effectiveness of Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) among Kurdish parents and their children. Methods: This was a randomized control pilot trial using pre- and post-test scores of 17 mothers (mean age 35.25 years, standard deviation 4.3 years; range: 29.58-45.3 years) who agreed to participate in the intervention. We utilized the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire (APQ) to assess parenting style; Parental Stress Scale (PSS) to investigate parental stress; and Step Parenting Assessment Technique (SPAT) to identify whether participants in the treatment group had learned the material of the intervention. Results: There were significant differences between the groups on 3 subscales of the APQ: mother involvement subscale, F(1.13) = 25.81, P < 0.001, eta(2)(p) = 0.67; inconsistent discipline subscale, F(1.13) = 25.46, P < 0.001, eta(2)(p) = 0.66; and corporal punishment subscale F(1.13) = 17.3, P < 0.005, eta(2)(p) = 0.57. A significant difference between groups was also found on the PSS, F(1.13) = 19.63, P < 0.001, eta(2)(p) = 0.60. The changes were sustained over a 3-month period. No significant differences were found in academic self-concept and behavioural problems between children whose mothers attended STEP and others whose mothers did not attend. Conclusions: The STEP programme appears to promote parenting style and reduce the level of parental stress in Kurdish mothers.