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Cited by 129Maternal and Neonatal HealthcareHealth Policy Implementation ScienceInfant Development and Preterm Care

Parent education interventions designed to support the transition to parenthood: A realist review

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Gilmer, Cyndi, Buchan, Judy L., Letourneau, Nicole, Bennett, Claudine T., Shanker, Stuart G., Fenwick, Anne, Smith-Chant, Brenda·2016·International Journal of Nursing Studies
DOI 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2016.03.015
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Public health nurses use parent education programmes to support individuals' transition to parenthood. A wide array of these programmes exists; however, the approach must be accommodated by resources available in a publicly funded system. For example, some new-parent education approaches use 1:1 home visiting (with a nurse or trained lay-home visitor) but the costs of this intensive approach can be prohibitive. Because of this limitation there is an interest in identifying effective and efficient new parent educational approaches that can realistically be provided at a universal level. Unfortunately, there is a lack of high-quality evaluation identifying programmes or educational processes that meet these criteria. OBJECTIVES: To identify potentially effective new-parenting education interventions that could be implemented at a population level during the transition to parenthood period. DESIGN: Realist synthesis. DATA SOURCES: Medline, CINAHL, ERIC, PsycINFO, Sociological Abstracts, grey literature. REVIEW METHODS: A realist review method generated a total of 72 papers that were used to inform the results. A three-pronged approach was used incorporating an initial search (6), a database search using applicable keywords and MeSH headings (58), and review of literature identified by advisory group (8 grey literature). An 'implementation chain' was developed to outline the overall logic and process behind parent education interventions and to guide the analysis. RESULTS: Seventy-two papers informed this review: 13 systematic reviews/meta-analyses, 34 intervention studies, 9 opinion papers, 8 programme reviews, and 8 grey literature reports. There was no compelling evidence to suggest that a single educational programme or delivery format was effective at a universal level. Some inherent issues were identified. For example, adult learning principles were overlooked and theories of parent-child interaction were not in evidence. No direct links between universal new-parent education programmes and child development outcomes were established. Programme reach and attrition were key challenges. Programme evaluation criteria were inconsistent, with an over-reliance on parent satisfaction or self-reported intention to change behaviour. There was evidence that effective facilitators helped increase parents' perceived satisfaction with programmes. CONCLUSIONS: It is unlikely that a single standardized format or programme will meet all the specific learning needs of parents. Multiple approaches that will allow people to access information or education at a time and in a format that suits them may be of value. The importance of the transition to parenthood and its impact on parent and child wellbeing warrant careful consideration of current programming and careful evaluation of future initiatives.

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  • It is not known whether the education provided to women in the hospital after birth is effective, nor is there a consensus on what outcome measure(s) show whether the education meets the goals of women or health care providers.

    “it is not known whether the education provided to women in the hospital after birth is effective (Gilmer et al., 2016), nor is there a consensus on what outcome measure(s) show whether the education meets the goals of women or health care providers.”

    From Scoping Review of Postpartum Discharge Education Provided by Nurses (2022) · cites this paper as Gilmer et al., 2016

    Section 6.4 (page unavailable) says the review did not identify evidence that universal parent education improves parent behaviour or child outcomes. The Introduction includes hospital-based education among the programmes considered, but the review does not establish that finding specifically for education given to women in hospital after birth. The outcome-measure statement follows the citation and is not assessed as a claim attributed to this source. (LLM, conf=0.83)

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  • It is important to support parents during their transition to parenthood using different approaches and to be sensitive to their unique needs.

    “It is thus important to support parents during their transition to parenthood using different approaches and to be sensitive to their unique needs (Gilmer et al., 2016).”

    From Extended home visits can provide multidimensional adapted professional support for parents – an intervention study (2023) · cites this paper as Gilmer et al., 2016

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1 of the 95 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. Gagnon, A.J., Sandall, J., 2011. Individual or group antenatal education for childbirth of parenthood, or both (Review). Cochrane Libr. (10) . Retrieved from: http://www.thecochranelibrary.com.
  2. McMillan, A.S., Barlow, J., Redshaw, M., 2009. Birth and Beyond: A Review of the Evidence About Antenatal Education. Department of Health.
  3. Merriam, S., 2007. Third Update on Adult Learning Theory: New Direc- tions for Adult and Continuing Education. Jossey Bass-Wiley, Hobo- ken, NJ.
  4. Schrader McMillan, A., Barlow, J., Redshaw, M., 2009. Birth and Beyond: A Review of the Evidence about Antenatal Education. Retrieved from: http://www.infantfeedingwm.org.uk/documents/ dh_110371_Antenatal_review_of_evidece.pdf.

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Authors
Gilmer, C., Buchan, J. L., Letourneau, N., Bennett, C. T., Shanker, S. G., Fenwick, A., & Smith-Chant, B.
Affiliations
  • Trent University (CA)
  • University of Calgary (CA)
  • York University (CA)
Corresponding author
Gilmer, Cyndi
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Nursing Studies
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2016-07
Volume
59
Pages
118-133
ISSN
0020-7489 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2016.03.015
OpenAlex
W2326738674
Cited by
126
References
95
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 38 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 1
FWCI
16.17
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • International Journal of Nursing Studies (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (226969)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Policy Implementation Science
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Infant Development and Preterm Care
Keywords
parent education, transition to parenthood, public health nursing, home visiting, program implementation, program evaluation, adult learning, parent-child interaction, parental satisfaction, child development outcomes, parental well-being
MeSH terms
Humans, Parents

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