Researching the Incredible Years Toddler Parenting Programme in Wales

1. Researching the Incredible Years Toddler Parenting Programme in Wales Nia Griffith Bangor University Supervised by Professor Judy Hutchings and Dr Dave Daley

2. Presentation Content • What is the Toddler Programme? • Evaluation Structure • How the evaluation is funded • Where the groups are running • Sample Demographics • Preliminary Analysis • Parent Feedback

4. Differences between the Basic and the Toddler Parenting programme. • Similarities • Same principals • Collaborative learning Process • Brain storming/role-play/home activities • Focus on coaching • Group structure • Differences • Removal of ‘consequences’ • Addition of more age appropriate sessions • Developmental checklists

5. The Evaluation • Two types of Partners • Main Randomised Controlled Trial • Pre and Post-Intervention Measures Groups • Participants • Parents of children aged between 12 and 36 months • Families living in Flying Start areas • Recruitment • Families recruited by group leaders in each area • Randomisation • Random allocation by NWORTH (North Wales Organization for Randomised Trials in Health) • Allocated on 2:1 Ratio Intervention: Waiting list control • Stratified for age and sex • Control families wait 6 months for Intervention

6. Evaluation Funding • Part-funded by the Welsh Assembly Government • Research funded • All materials to run the group • Staff and measures for data collection • High quality weekly supervision • Money for refreshments • Service funded • Crèche • Staff to deliver the groups • Adequate time for staff to attend supervision • Travel costs to supervision

7. Flying Start Flying start initiative aims to fund high quality services for children aged 0-3 years in disadvantaged areas in Wales • Extra health visitor visits • Free childcare • Basic skills • Parenting courses

8. RCT Research locations • North Wales Sites • Blaenau Ffestiniog • Caernarfon (Maesincla) • Bangor (Maesgeirchen) • Holyhead • Llanrwst • Mid Wales Sites • Welshpool • South Wales Sites • Rhondda Cynon Taf (Porth) • Blaenau Gwent (Llanhilleth) • Neath (Britton Ferry)

9. Measures • Developmental Measures • Measure of Home Environment • Parent Measures • Direct Observation

10. Sample Characteristics • 103 families • Parent age at Baseline (M= 29.48, SD= 6.95) range 16-48 years. • 20% Welsh first language. • Over 50% <20 Years at birth of 1st child.

11. Sample Characteristics cont. • 50% living in council/housing association houses. • 18% of these houses were rated as substandard. • 22% had concerns about their child’s development • 24% reported having felt low/helpless or depressed at some point since the birth of their child • 14% had an immediate family member with a drugs/alcohol problem, • 13% had an immediate family member who had been involved in some form of criminal activity. • 32% left school without any qualifications

12. Comparison of FS and National Average Information sourced from: Social Trends No.37 (2007). London: Office for National Statistics

13. SHORT TERM DATA

14. Preliminary Analysis WEMWBS Significant improvement demonstrated in parent report mental well-being at 6 month follow-up, measured by the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well Being Scale (NHS Health Scotland, 2006). No significant changes were observed for the control group

15. Preliminary Analysis of DPICS Significant improvement in observed critical parenting statements directed towards the target child at 6 month follow-up, measured by DPICS (Eyberg & Robinson, 2000). No significant changes were observed for the control group.

16. Preliminary Analysis of DPICS Significant improvement in observed physical negatives directed towards the target child at 6 month follow-up, measured by DPICS (Eyberg & Robinson, 2000). No significant changes were observed for the control group.

17. LONG TERM DATA

18. Long Term Preliminary Analysis WEMWBS Positive changes in Mental Well-being seen at six months, have been maintained at twelve months.

19. Long Term Preliminary Analysis BDI II A significant reduction in Total Depression Score from Baseline to 12 months. Sample mean below clinical cut-off at baseline.

20. Long Term Preliminary Analysis I/T HOME Inventory A significant increase in Total HOME Environment Score from Baseline to 12 months.

21. Parents Comments • What part of programme was most helpful to you? • “Group Discussions, and all feeling at ease with each other, so we could talk openly to each other and hearing what can be done”. • “I found the whole programme very helpful, but I did find that the effective limit setting and positive discipline helped me a lot not only with my toddler but with my older children too”. • “All of it” • “Each session I attended gave me something that I could use to become a more competent and confident mother”. • “Learning to play without Interfering!!” • What did you like most about the programme? • “I liked that every problem you have can be solved in a calm way”. • “All of it, the tutors were excellent, the programme was very interesting. Each topic was very beneficial!”. • “ I enjoyed the whole programme- it has really helped me to learn the best ways to teach my child, and most importantly to play using lots of praise and encouragement. I would highly recommend this course to any parent”.  • How could the programme have been improved to help you more? • “I don’t think the programme needed to be improved more as I found everything excellent!” • “I was very pleased and I am practicing the techniques in my everyday routines”. • “Make it longer! I’ll miss the support and advice”

22. Conclusions • Significant benefits despite the control group having access to all other Flying Start services • Further data to be analysed • Moderator analysis- my PhD is exploring how particular subgroups have fared

23. Thank you for listening!Diolch am wrando!