Tuning in to kids: an emotion‐focused parenting program—initial findings from a community trial

Abstract

Abstract This study evaluated a new group parenting program, Tuning in to Kids, which taught emotion coaching skills to parents of preschool children. In a randomized control trial, 218 primary caregiver parents of children aged 4.0–5.11 years completed questionnaires assessing parent emotion socialization (emotion coaching vs. emotion dismissing), parent emotional competence, parent wellbeing and child behavior. Assessment occurred at preintervention and 10 weeks later. Parents randomized to the intervention condition ( n =107) attended a 6‐session parenting program. Results showed parents in the intervention condition reported significant increases in emotion coaching and significant reductions in emotion dismissing with their children. Child behavior was also reported to improve. Of those with clinical levels of behavior difficulties, more than half were no longer at clinical level postprogram. These findings suggest that an emotion‐focused parenting intervention may assist parents to learn emotion‐coaching skills that have been linked to improved child behavior. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.