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Does group-based parent support during the transition to parenthood affect child socio-emotional problems and health care utilization? A randomized controlled trial

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  • Trillingsgaard, Tea
  • Fentz, Hanne Nørr
  • Simonsen, Marianne

Abstract

As government-funded universal programs for new parents continue to expand, it is critical to investigate their short- and longer-term effects. The level of knowledge, especially on the effect of group-based interventions, is sparse. This study is the second report from a large trial of a widely implemented universal group-based parenting program in Denmark and includes outcomes on child socio-emotional problems and use of health services. A sample of 1701 unborn children from families representative within the area, were randomized to intervention or care as usual beginning November 2014. From these families, 1268 mothers and 999 partners (mean age 29.4 and 31.19, respectively; 6% migration background) filled in the Ages and Stages Questionnaire. Intention-to-treat-analyses showed fewer socio-emotional problems in the intervention group (between-group difference - 2.34, 95% CI [0.40, 4.30], d = - 0.13) as reported by mothers, but not partners, when children were 10 months old. This finding was transitory (no longer significant at 19 months). No effects were found on health care utilization. The previous report from this trial showed no effects on measures of parenting. In total, these findings serve the purpose of adjusting future expectations to the size and type of effect to be gained from a universal parent program in a resourceful setting. We conclude that even if the Family Startup Program (DK: Familieiværksætterne) 2 was liked, well implemented, and well attended by the parents, the positive effect on children's socio-emotional problems, was too modest to be the argument that can carry the weight of policy going forward.

Suggested Citation

  • Trillingsgaard, Tea & Fentz, Hanne Nørr & Simonsen, Marianne, 2024. "Does group-based parent support during the transition to parenthood affect child socio-emotional problems and health care utilization? A randomized controlled trial," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 347(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:347:y:2024:i:c:s0277953624001850
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116741
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Aboud, Frances E. & Singla, Daisy R. & Nahil, Md Imam & Borisova, Ivelina, 2013. "Effectiveness of a parenting program in Bangladesh to address early childhood health, growth and development," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 250-258.
    2. Sandner, Malte & Cornelissen, Thomas & Jungmann, Tanja & Herrmann, Peggy, 2018. "Evaluating the effects of a targeted home visiting program on maternal and child health outcomes," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 269-283.
    3. Orla Doyle, 2020. "The First 2,000 Days and Child Skills," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 128(6), pages 2067-2122.
    4. Trillingsgaard, Tea L. & Maimburg, Rikke D. & Simonsen, Marianne, 2021. "Group-based parent support during the transition to parenthood: Primary outcomes from a randomised controlled trial," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 287(C).
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