Exploring mothers' experiences and perceptions in a group‐based parenting program: A qualitative study

ABSTRACT Objective This study explored mothers' perceptions and experiences after following a group‐based parenting program. Background Since parents play a critical role in fostering children's development, parenting programs have been widely implemented to enhance parenting practices and promote parental mental health. While substantial quantitative evidence supports the effectiveness of parenting programs, questions regarding how and why these programs may be helpful remain largely unexplored. Method This qualitative study explored mothers' experiences with the ACT Raising Safe Kids program through 16 semistructured interviews. Results Through reflexive thematic analysis, three central themes were identified: (1) shifts in mothers' beliefs and behaviors illustrates how mothers' cognitive and behavioral shifts contributed to more balanced family dynamics, (2) developing strategies to manage parenting challenges highlights how mothers developed various strategies to manage everyday challenges, while also navigating parental pressures, and (3) experiencing parenting support explores mothers' perceptions of social support and the lack thereof, and how the group contributed to the building of social capital. Conclusion These findings highlight the valuable role of a group‐based parenting program in supporting mothers in a sociocultural context marked by high expectations and increased individualization. Implications Clinicians should remain attentive to sociocultural factors because these, as these shape parents' experiences of support and parenting challenges.