Evaluation of family protective factors and parenting stress following the strengths‐based Power of Parenting Program

Abstract Objective This study examines changes in family protective factors and parenting stress upon completion of a strengths‐based, universal parenting program. Background Parenting programs can contribute to children's well‐being and resilience by increasing protective factors and reducing parenting stress. Methods Participants included 442 caregivers of at least one child prenatal to age 8 years who graduated from Families First's Power of Parenting Program (i.e., attended at least eight of 12 sessions), and 95 who attended zero to four sessions. Most identified as Hispanic/Latinx, women, and between the ages of 26 and 40 years. Differences in subscale scores on the Protective Factors Survey (PFS) and Parenting Stress Index, Fourth Edition Short Form (PSI‐4‐SF) from pre‐ to post‐program were measured based on attendance. Results Paired‐samples t tests indicated parents who graduated from the program scored significantly higher in all subscales of both the PFS and PSI‐4‐SF in the postsurvey compared with the presurvey. Parents who attended zero to four sessions demonstrated no significant difference between pre and post scores in any subscale. Program graduates showed the greatest growth in concrete support. Conclusion These findings support the efficacy of the Power of Parenting Program's strengths‐based approach. Implications This study supports the continued development and evaluation of strengths‐based approaches to parenting programs.