Positive parenting trial to begin

New Zealand has been chosen as the first country in the world to trial a positive parenting programme.

A total of 180 parents are being recruited by the Triple P research group at The University of Auckland's faculty of education to complete either an internet-based or workbook-based programme.

Research fellow Dr Cassy Dittman said the team were looking for parents of a three to eight-year-old child displaying moderate behavioural problems, such as tantrums, aggression, conflict with siblings or disruptive behaviour.

"This is an opportunity for parents to learn strategies that we know will reduce child behaviour problems and will increase their confidence as a parent, in their privacy of their own home and with complete confidentiality," Dr Dittman said.

"Our feedback suggests parents want support programmes which can be accessed via the web, so we are excited to be delivering our programme for the first time in this format."

The Triple P Research Group was established at the faculty of education in 2008 under the direction of adjunct professor Matt Sanders, who is also the director of the Parenting and Family Support Centre at the University of Queensland.

The study's results will be used to refine the web-based support programme before it is made available more widely through schools, health professionals and organisations.

- NZPA