Making Parenting a Pleasure®
The Evidence Summaries presented on this site were drawn from the best available evidence of the program’s effectiveness from this review. It does not necessarily reflect all the evidence about the program. The research was selected and assessed for inclusion on the Menu and towards the evidence rating because it met selection criteria related to the specific topic area, study design, quality assessment and the outcomes of interest.
Overview
Evidence rating
- Supported
Outcome domain
- Family
- Parent/caregiver
- Implementation
Target groups
- 0-2 years
- 3-5 years
Evidence base
- International evidence
Risk of bias
- Some concerns
Cost information
- Some cost information available
About
Make Parenting A Pleasure® (MPAP®) Second Edition is a child abuse prevention program for highly stressed families with children aged 0 to 8 at risk for abuse or neglect. It is designed to utilise a conversational process for parents to share and normalise their parenting experiences, learn about typical early childhood development and parenting strategies and develop a support network. A Parent Educator acts as a guide to help the families discover unrealized parenting knowledge.
Aims
- Improve overall parent functioning
- Improve positive parenting behaviours
- Improve perceived stress
- Improve psychological well-being
- Improve family functioning
- Improve parenting self-efficacy
- Improve development of social support networks.
Impact
Evidence suggests that MPAP was effective in family and parent outcomes including family functioning, mental health, parenting skills and engagement with parents. No effect was found for improving parents' social support.
| Outcome domain | Outcome measured | Positive effect | No effect | Negative effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family | Functioning | Yes | Not found | Not found |
| Parent/caregiver | Mental health/functioning | Yes | Yes | Not found |
| Parent/caregiver | Parenting | Yes | Not found | Not found |
| Parent/caregiver | Social support | Not found | Yes | Not found |
| Implementation | Engagement | Yes | Not found | Not found |
How to read the table:
When ‘Yes’ is indicated for one of the three directions of effect, this means there is evidence of ‘positive’, ‘no effect’ or ‘negative effect’. Evidence is mixed and inconclusive when ‘Yes’ is indicated for two or more directions of effect. Further information about direction of effect can be found on the Using the Menu page.
MPAP® has an evidence rating of Supported.
This means that MPAP® has evidence from one randomised controlled trial (RCT) or quasi-experiment (QE) demonstrating positive, short-term impact on at least one child and family outcome.
This assessment is based on one research output of RCT design. MPAP® has not received a Well-supported rating as it has not yet replicated its results in another RCT or QE with a different population or setting.
| Study design | Number of research outputs included |
|---|---|
| Systematic review with meta-analysis | Not identified or included |
| Randomised controlled trial | 1 |
| Quasi-experiment | Not identified or included |
The evidence has some concerns with risk of bias.
We can be reasonably confident about the results and quality of the evidence from the included study.
The study was conducted in the United States and does not include Aboriginal children and families.
Aboriginal knowledge and evidence is critical to recognise, document and share practices that lead to improved outcomes for Aboriginal children and families. The department is consulting with the Aboriginal community and stakeholders on how Aboriginal knowledge and evidence is defined and included on the Menu.
Location
- The study was conducted in the United States.
Sample characteristics
- 59 families (32 intervention, 27 control) participated in the study.
- The children were aged 0 to 8.
- Families voluntarily sought parenting training through Oregon agencies currently offering the MPAP® curriculum, which was available to families experiencing one or more stressors and at risk for abuse or neglect.
- Parents identified as White (66%), Hispanic/Latino (12%), Native American (7%), Multiracial (7%), Asian (3%) and Black (2%).
Implementation
Delivery model, mode and setting
- MPAP® is delivered in-person, to families in a group format by Parenting Educators.
- It is typically conducted in the community daily living setting, community-based organisation or school setting.
Target cohort
- Highly stressed families with children aged 0 to 8 at risk for abuse or neglect.
Program delivery
- The MPAP® curriculum is modularised into discrete sessions, contained within separate facilitator booklets, to enable organisations to offer multiple groups using a single set of materials.
- The essential components include a group-based facilitated model, where facilitated discussion focused group sessions with 10 to 15 families are led by professional Parent Educators.
- It is designed to utilise a conversational process which respects the skills of the parent educator, empowers families, and can be adapted to suit a wide range of environments and populations to maximally improve outcomes. The parent educator acts as a guide to help the families discover unrealised parenting knowledge. This approach raises the confidence of parents as they discover that they already possess the capabilities necessary to achieve their family goals.
- MPAP® includes a homework component. Homework assignments include next-session feedback to reinforce concepts and skills.
Duration and intensity
- MPAP® involves 2-hour weekly meetings over 10 to 12 weeks.
Manuals and guides
- Resources are available to support the implementation of MPAP®, including:
- A structured and detailed modulated guide
- Road-tested experiential activities and homework assignments
- DVD with video clips used for conversation starters to enhance discussion and meeting flow
- Facilitator’s booklet with icons to identify key concepts, session agendas and meeting material requirements
- Parent booklets and reproducible handouts
- Forms for tracking attendance and collecting feedback.
Additional information
- The Parenting Now website has more information about MPAP®, Second Edition.
Staffing
- Parent Educator should have a Bachelor’s or Master’s level degrees in early childhood education, education, social work, public health, psychology or related field, or have related experience. Familiarity with curriculum or Parenting Now! Parent Educator Training is desirable.
Training
- The curriculum has comprehensive, clear step-by-step instructions for the Parenting Educator that enables implementation of the program without a training requirement. However, many Parenting Educators greatly benefit from the training and training support services provided by Parenting Now.
To our knowledge, MPAP® is not available and has not been implemented in Australia.
Cost
The MPAP® Second Edition Curriculum costs US$1,199.
References
Studies identified and included in the review
- Munger K, Seeley J, Mender L, Schroeder S & Gau J (2019). Effect of Make Parenting A Pleasure on parenting skills and parental depression. Child and Family Behavior Therapy, 1(42):1-19.
Studies identified but not counted towards the evidence rating due to study quality
- No studies that were identified were excluded due to study quality.