This study is a two-arm randomised controlled trial to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the localised Parenting for Lifelong Health for Young Children (aged 2-9 years) program (DAYEM) in Kuwait. The programme combines in-person sessions for parents with the supportive use of ParentApp to promote positive parenting, reduce child maltreatment, and improve child behaviour and parental mental health.
Context
Parenting interventions play an important role in promoting positive parent-child interactions, which are fundamental to many aspects of child well-being such as child development, socioemotional skills, academic performance, and mental health. Considering the widespread use of smartphones in Kuwait and the proven effectiveness of evidence-based parenting programs in preventing child maltreatment, we hope that implementation of DAYEM program in Kuwait via in-person sessions supported by ParentApp can benefit the well-being of both parents and their children. The utilisation of effective digital solutions holds promise for large-scale implementation that would benefit people in Kuwait and the entire Arab region.
Objectives
To assess the feasibility of implementing DAYEM programme in Kuwait.
To evaluate the effectiveness of DAYEM programme with a focus on improving child mental health, child behaviour, as well as parental mental health and parenting stress.
To explore factors influencing the effectiveness of DAYEM, such as intervention engagement and socio-demographic characteristics.
Project Setting
Participants will be recruited from the main vaccination center in each of Kuwait’s six governorates. Baseline data of one primary parent from each family will be collected and parents will then be randomised to either treatment or control groups.
Significance and wider impact:
This will be the first prevention programme of its kind in not only the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, but also the entire Arab region. The projected benefits of the program extend beyond Kuwait as availability of an Arabic and culturally relevant parenting programme with a digital component will be useful for many countries. Child maltreatment and parental mental stress contribute to the global burden of disease and the costs of both direct and indirect consequences impact many countries’ economies. Thus, the need for evidence-based prevention programmes is vital and this project is the first step in improving both parental and child well-being across the entire Arab region.
