Changes in practitioners’ attitudes, perceived training needs and self-efficacy over the implementation process of an evidence-based parenting program

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based family support programs such as the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program have the potential to enhance the well-being of children and families. However, they cannot achieve their expected outcomes if insufficient attention is paid to the implementation process. It has been demonstrated that practitioners’ attitudes towards evidence-based programs (EBPs), perceived training needs and self-efficacy for working with parents influence implementation outcomes (e.g., program acceptability, adoption, adherence and sustainability). At the same time, the experience of being involved in the implementation process of an EBP could enhance practitioners’ perceptions of the initiative. This study aimed to assess changes in practitioner’s attitudes, perceived training needs and self-efficacy over a two-year EBP implementation process, in interaction with their appraisal of their organization’s capacity to implement the EPB. METHODS: In the province of Quebec, Canada, Triple P was implemented and evaluated in two communities. Ninety-nine practitioners from various organizations completed questionnaires shortly before their training in Triple P and two years later. RESULTS: Findings show that practitioners who displayed more initial skepticism regarding their organization’s capacity to implement the program reported greater improvements in attitudes over time, while practitioners who showed more optimism at baseline reported a greater decrease in their perceived training needs. Practitioners’ self-efficacy increased moderately regardless of perceived organizational capacity. CONCLUSIONS: These results are encouraging given that more positive perceptions of EBPs could foster the systematic use of these programs in communities, for the potential benefit of a greater number of families. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-020-05939-3.