Testing the feasibility and effectiveness of a parenting skills conversation group and booklet in Palestine
Background to the research
In 2015, we developed a leaflet which included two A4 pages of context and culturally sensitive parenting information and a questionnaire to collect demographic data and feedback on the usefulness of the leaflet. Working with an NGO in Syria we distributed 3000 parenting information leaflets to families living in a conflict zone in Syria via bakery supplies. We received a response rate of 1783 completed questionnaires, highlighting how important these parenting information messages were to families in this context.
The study
We expanded the leaflet into a booklet to demonstrate key parenting skills in a simple and engaging way. Caregiving for Children through Conflict and Displacement The booklet is aimed at building parenting confidence and self-regulatory skills and enhancing child and family psychological well-being and is based on evidence-based family and parenting strategies drawn from the parenting literature. It has been tailored to the context of families that have experienced conflict and displacement using the findings from our interviews, focus groups and consultations, humanitarian organisation mental health and psychosocial assessments and research conducted by other academics. Along with the booklet, we have developed a 2 hour conversation group for caregivers. The Conversation Group expands the information in the booklet in an engaging way and both are used together. A study explored the feasibility and effectiveness of the implementation of this newly developed booklet and associated seminar with caregivers in Nablus, Palestine. The Conversation Group was feasible, and caregivers were positive about the content and experience.
Caption: Front cover of the ‘Caring for Children through Conflict and Displacement booklet