Motivations and Goals of Parents Participating in the Working With Parents Manual Pilot Study

Understanding the motivations and goals of parents participating in parenting programs is crucial for developing effective parenting programs and keeping participants engaged. This study reviews the motivations and goals of participants in the Working With Parents Manual (WWPM) Pilot Study (Mowder, 2022). The WWPM is based on the Parent Development Theory (PDT) which defines six categories of important parenting behaviors (i.e., Bonding, Discipline, Education, General Welfare and Protection, Responsivity, Sensitivity). The study explores parents' motivations and goals for participating in the WWPM program, the impact participation has on parenting behaviors, and the relationship between parenting goals and program satisfaction. A total of 26 participants were included in quantitative and qualitative data analyses. Results indicate that responsivity was the most common parenting goal of participants in the program, while bonding and sensitivity were the most common primary motivating factors for participants’ enrollment. Additionally, common qualitative themes of improving the parent-child relationship and improving parenting skills were determined. This study finds that participants completing the WWPM gave evidence of significant changes in importance of both positive and negative parenting behaviors. Participant feedback indicates a consistent overall positive view of participation in the WWPM from parents, regardless of specific parenting goal(s). These findings may inform the development and implementation of effective and relevant programs that support positive parenting practices and potentially enhance outcomes for parents, children, and families.