Study identifies implementation strategies for parenting support in mental health services

Children of parents experiencing mental health challenges may themselves face increased mental health risks, while parents can encounter barriers to accessing parenting interventions. This qualitative study explored how a co-designed, technology-assisted parenting program, Partners in Parenting Kids, might be integrated into an adult mental health service. Researchers interviewed 13 service providers: nine clinicians and four managers. They used the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to organise findings and matched barriers with strategies from the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change framework.

The analysis identified 22 framework constructs as potential facilitators and 12 as barriers. The researchers proposed 18 implementation strategies to address the barriers. The most common strategy clusters were “Use evaluative and iterative strategies” (five strategies) and “Train and educate stakeholders” (four strategies).

The findings offer service-planning considerations for organizations considering technology-assisted parenting support within adult mental health care. They reflect the perspectives of a small group of providers in one service and concern pre-implementation planning; the study did not test whether the program was implemented successfully or improved parent or child outcomes. One author co-designed the program and reported receiving no financial benefits from it or the study.