A randomized trial of a parenting intervention for caregivers of young children in Liberia
Principal Investigators: Eve S. Puffer, Eric P. Green, Rhea M. Chase
Parents Make the Difference (PMD) is a group parenting skills intervention for parents of young children that is being implemented by the International Rescue Committee in Liberia. Primary target outcomes are reduced harsh punishment, improved caregiver-child relationships, and increases in positive parenting behaviors. The intervention also includes content related to early childhood development and school readiness, with secondary target outcomes related to these domains. We conducted a randomized trial of PMD across five communities with 270 caregivers in Lofa County, a rural area of the country. Results documented a 55.5% decrease in harsh punishment in the intervention group compared with controls and positive effects on positive behavior management strategies and caregiver-child relationships.
Status: Completed
Relevant Publications:
Giusto, A., Friis, E., Sim, A. L., Chase, R. M., Zayzay, J. O., Green, E. P., & Puffer, E. S. (under review). A qualitative study of mechanisms underlying effects of a parenting intervention in rural Liberia. European Journal of Development Research.
Puffer, E. S., Green, E. P., Chase, R. M., Sim, A. L., Zayzay, J., Friis, E., Garcia-Rolland, E., & Boone, L. (2015). Parents Make the Difference: A randomized controlled trial of a parenting intervention in Liberia. Global Mental Health, 2, e15; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/gmh.2015.12.