Finland assesses effectiveness of group support for parents of children with behavioral difficulties
American professor emerita Carolyn Webster-Stratton visited the University of Turku in Finland and emphasized the importance of cooperation among parents, teachers, and specialists working with children to overcome behavioral difficulties. She developed internationally known support programs for children and parents.
As YLE News reports, the program begins by identifying the goals of parents and teachers. According to Webster-Stratton, parents want their children to succeed at school and thrive at home. She also drew attention to the importance of group support: communicating with people facing similar problems helps parents not feel alone.
The effect of group sessions
Studies of the program’s effectiveness showed that group sessions using video modeling contributed to more positive interactions between parents and children. This format was also more effective at reducing children’s problem behavior than individual counseling for parents.
According to Webster-Stratton, group learning gives participants an opportunity to share experiences and adopt practical solutions from one another. This can help parents feel more confident and less anxious or depressed.
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Praise, rules, and prevention
Parent groups under the Incredible Years program are held, among other places, at family counseling services in the Southwest Finland region and at the child psychiatry department of Turku University Hospital. Families whose children have difficulties with self-regulation or concentration, or display aggressive behavior, are most often involved in the program.
Psychologist Anna Kuusakoski, who leads such groups, described noticing a child’s good behavior, praise and encouragement, as well as clear daily rules and routines as important principles. The groups also examine possible reasons for children’s behavior, including a lack of skills, temperament-related sensitivity, or a lack of motivation, rather than explaining it as deliberate malice.
University of Turku professor Andre Sourander said that parenting programs can help with various difficulties even without an established diagnosis. In his opinion, greater attention should be paid to preventive services rather than only corrective treatment.
