Objective: The purpose of the project was to test a web-based program providing working parents with the knowledge and skills necessary for prevention and early intervention of mental health problems in youth.
Method: Study sample consisted of 99 parents who were randomized into either an experimental (program use) or waitlist control condition. Analysis of covariance and paired t-tests were used to compare response outcomes for the two groups.
Results: Parents receiving the intervention had greater knowledge of youth mental health issues and greater self-efficacy in handling these issues compared to controls.
Conclusions: Findings suggest that referring parents to a multimedia web-based program can improve parents' knowledge of children's' mental health and their confidence in addressing mental health issues. Web-based programs can be offered to individuals in multiple settings, including the workplace, thereby reaching large numbers of parents.