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Enhancing Positive Parenting Through Metacognition with the Program ‘Lou & us’

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Abstract

This study used a micro-trial design to evaluate ‘Lou & us’, a 3-week parenting program based on metacognition. The program consists of sessions using a CD-Rom and interviews with the program deliverer. The study tested whether and to what extent the program is effective in enhancing positive parenting, in particular childrearing behavior, self-efficacy beliefs and co-parenting. In Study 1, the program was used by French-speaking mothers and fathers in a community-based sample of 152 families. Study 2 was a randomized control trial in which the program was used by French-speaking mothers and fathers from 58 families out of the 116 involved. In Study 1, ‘Lou & us’ was found to increase supportive parenting, reduced controlling parenting, and increase fathers’ self-efficacy beliefs. The results of Study 1 were partially replicated in Study 2. Furthermore, the intervention was seen to enhance co-parenting for both mothers and fathers, as well as their assessment of their children’s externalizing behavior. The findings suggests that a limited number of activities based on the core process of metacognition and delivered in a limited period of time can be effective components for enhancing positive parenting.

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  1. Department of Psychology, Université catholique de Louvain, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium

    Isabelle Roskam

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  1. Isabelle Roskam
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Correspondence to Isabelle Roskam.

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Roskam, I. Enhancing Positive Parenting Through Metacognition with the Program ‘Lou & us’. J Child Fam Stud 24, 2496–2507 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-014-0052-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-014-0052-z

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