Group-Based versus Individual Parenting Programs: A Meta-Analysis of Effects on Parents
Open accessAbstract
Parenting programs aim to motivate change in parents' behaviors, perceptions, and knowledge to promote desirable changes in children's adjustment and behavior. Parenting programs are typically delivered in a group-based or individual format, and it is unknown which format most effectively supports parents. On the one hand, group-based programs may be more effective since they provide access to peer-based support. On the other hand, individual programs may be more successful since they offer a tailored approach. Therefore, this meta-analysis investigated which delivery format is most effective in optimizing child behavior management (i.e., positive reinforcement and nonviolent discipline), parenting stress, and parental depressive symptoms. Studies were selected from the systematic review by Backhaus et al. (2023). Our sample included evaluations of 121 group-based and 41 individual programs based on social learning theory principles. Robust variance estimation indicated that parents' child behavior management and parenting stress improved in both delivery formats. In contrast, parental depressive symptoms improved only in group-based programs. Our findings suggest that whether parents benefit more from a group-based or individual program in part depends on the outcome examined. Therefore, it is important for clinicians to understand parents' goals to effectively guide them toward the most appropriate parenting program delivery format. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
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Parents reported comfort from learning that others shared their parenting struggles, a known non-specific benefit of group therapy.
“These statements highlight the comfort parents reported experiencing from learning that others shared their parenting struggles, a known non-specific benefit of group therapy [57].”
From A Qualitative Study of Participant Feedback on an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Group-Based Intervention for Parents of Youth with Anxiety Disorders. (2026) · cites this paper as [57]
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- Authors
- Mathijs, L., Van Petegem, S., Melendez-Torres, G. J., Backhaus, S., Gardner, F., & Leijten, P.
- Affiliations
- Université Libre de Bruxelles (BE)
- University of Amsterdam (NL)
- University of Oxford (GB)
- Venue
- Journal of Family Psychology
- Published
- 2024-12
- Volume
- 38
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 1109-1118
- ISSN
- 0893-3200 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1293
- OpenAlex
- W4403603310
- Cited by
- 26
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 19 · 2025: 7
- FWCI
- 2.31
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- hdl.handle.net
- Licence
- other-oa
- Locations
- Journal of Family Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Dépôt institutionnel de l'Université libre de Bruxelles (Université Libre de Bruxelles) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- UvA-DARE (University of Amsterdam) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Funders
- Fund of Scientific Research (40022618)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Behavioral and Psychological Studies
- Social Sciences › Demography › Family Dynamics and Relationships
- Keywords
- parent training, group intervention, individual interventions, delivery format, child behavior management, positive reinforcement, nonviolent discipline, parental stress, parental depressive symptoms, social learning theory, peer support, child adjustment
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Child, Child Behavior, Depression, Humans, Parent-Child Relations, Parents, Stress, Psychological, Parenting
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