Jandu Yani U 'For All Families' Triple P-positive parenting program in remote Australian Aboriginal communities: a study protocol for a community intervention trial

Ellaina Andersson; Cari McIlduff; Karen Turner; Sue Thomas; Jadnah Davies; Elizabeth J Elliott; Stewart Einfeld

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032559

Jandu Yani U 'For All Families' Triple P-positive parenting program in remote Australian Aboriginal communities: a study protocol for a community intervention trial

BMJ Open. 2019 Oct 9;9(10):e032559. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032559.

Authors

Ellaina Andersson^{1

2}, Cari McIlduff^{3

4}, Karen Turner³, Sue Thomas⁴, Jadnah Davies⁴, Elizabeth J Elliott^{2

5}, Stewart Einfeld⁶

Affiliations

¹ The Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia ellaina.andersson@sydney.edu.au.
² Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
³ School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
⁴ Marulu Unit, Marninwarntikura Women's Resource Centre, Fitzroy Crossing, Western Australia, Australia.
⁵ Kid's Research, The Sydney Childrens Hospitals Network (Westmead), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
⁶ The Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Abstract

Introduction: The population-based (Lililwan) study of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) revealed a high prevalence of FASD in the remote communities of the Fitzroy Valley, Western Australia (WA) and confirmed anecdotal reports from families and teachers that challenging child behaviours were a significant concern. In response, Marninwarntikura Women's Resource Centre initiated a partnership with researchers from The University of Sydney to bring the positive parenting program (Triple P) to the Valley. Triple P has been effective in increasing parenting skills and confidence, and improving child behaviour in various Indigenous communities.

Methods and analysis: Extensive consultation with community leaders, service providers, Aboriginal health networks and academic institutions was undertaken and is ongoing. Based on community consultations, the intervention was adapted to acknowledge local cultural, social and language complexities. Carers of children born after 1 January 2002 and living in the Fitzroy Valley are invited to participate in Group Triple P, including additional Stepping Stones strategies for children with complex needs. Programme are delivered by local community service workers, trained and accredited as Triple P providers or 'parent coaches'. Assessments for parent coach pretraining and post-training includes their perceived ability to deliver the intervention and the cultural appropriateness of the programme. Carers complete preintervention and postintervention and 6-month follow-up assessments of parenting practices, self-efficacy and child behaviour.

Ethics and dissemination: Approval was granted by the University of Sydney Human Ethics Committee, WA Aboriginal Health Ethics Committee, WA Country Health Services Ethics Committee and Kimberley Aboriginal Health Planning Forum. Consultation with community is imperative for efficacy, engagement, community ownership and sustainability of the programme, and will be ongoing until findings are disseminated. Anonymous findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, community feedback sessions and scientific forums.

Keywords: FASD; aboriginal; fetal alcohol spectrum disorder; indigenous; parenting; triple P.

Publication types

Clinical Trial Protocol
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Australia
Child
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / therapy*
Humans
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander*
Parenting*