Participation in parental guidance groups leads to increased coping in parenting and an improved relationship between parents and children, according to a new study of the ICDP in Norway conducted by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.
Design: RCT study, the families who participated in the study were randomly drawn to be either in the intervention or control group
Read the study: Efficacy evaluation of the International Child Development Programme (ICDP)
Parental guidance is a widespread measure – offered to parents who experience challenges related to having children, and preventive to parents who do not experience this type of difficulties. In Norway, many parents take advantage of the offer in the municipality in which they live.
From 2017-2021, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health has conducted a study of the most widespread public parental guidance programme, the International Child Development Programme (ICDP). The aim of the study was to find out what effect the program has in Norway, and to investigate whether the ICDP can contribute to a positive change in the role of parents, strengthen the relationship between parents and children, and improve children’s well-being.
The study looked at the “standard version of the ICDP,” which targets the entire population. The ICDP is also offered to specific groups, which this study has not investigated.
The study shows that ICDP guidance has a positive effect on parents and the relationship between parents and children. The study found that parents feel safer in parenting after participating in the ICDP programme.
“The parents report that they feel closer to their child, experience less conflicts about child rearing in the relationship, and have a more supportive parenting style after completing ICDP guidance, compared to the control group that was not part of the programme,” says project adviser Eia Elena Skjønsberg.
Illustration photo: colourbox.com.