Implementation of Mother-Training Program to Improve Parenting in Pre-School Age Children: A Randomized-Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Preventing child abuse is an area of evaluation that should be deeply considered. The enhancing skill of maternal child care is also useful in this field. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a training strategy to improve parenting in the families identified as at risk of child maltreatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized and controlled trial was conducted in 60 mothers allocated in the experimental and controlled group by a simple random allocation in Amirkola Children's Hospital in North Iran from January 2009 to December 2009. Mean score of maternal child abuse before and after intervention has been assessed by Conflict Tactics Scale for Parent and Child. Data analysis was based on the independent t-test, the paired t-test and one way analysis of variance. RESULTS: The mean and standard deviation of maternal child abuse score in the experimental group before and after intervention were 30.21 ± 1.21 and 23.31 ± 1.52, respectively, (P < 0.001, t = 6.63), but no difference was found in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The training program on maternal skills to prevent child abuse was a powerful resource. Therefore, healthcare providers in the field of pediatric about parenting skills should be taught with a specific consideration.