TY  - JOUR
AU  - McGoron, Lucy
AU  - Ratner, Hilary Horn
AU  - Knoff, Kathryn AG
AU  - Hvizdos, Erica
AU  - Ondersma, Steven J
PY  - 2019
DA  - 2019/11/29
TI  - A Pragmatic Internet Intervention to Promote Positive Parenting and School Readiness in Early Childhood: Initial Evidence of Program Use and Satisfaction
JO  - JMIR Pediatr Parent
SP  - e14518
VL  - 2
IS  - 2
KW  - child rearing
KW  - child development
AB  - Background: Internet-based parenting programs have the potential to connect families to research-informed materials to promote positive child development. However, such programs can only succeed to the extent that the intended population engages with them. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate engagement in the 5-a-Day Parenting program, a technology-based program designed with low-income families in mind, to promote daily use of 5 specific parenting activities conducive to children’s school readiness. Following earlier pilot data, the program was enhanced with an initial motivational e-intervention and tailored text messages designed to promote engagement. Methods: Parents were recruited from local childcare centers and through a participant registry. We examined rates of receipt of program text messages and use of video-based content on the program website, 3 factors that may affect website use, and satisfaction with key program elements. Results: A total of 360 parents of young children learned about the study and had the opportunity to use the 5-a-Day Parenting website. Of these, 94 parents participated in the study, and 33% (31/94) accessed the video-based content on the website at least once. No association was found between website use and program recruitment approach, program-affiliation message, sociocontextual risk, and baseline use of the five parenting activities. Satisfaction with text messages and video-based content was high. Conclusions: For some parents, technology-based programs appear useful; however, engagement could still be enhanced. Additional research should seek innovative strategies for promoting engagement in Web-based parenting programs. 
SN  - 2561-6722
UR  - http://pediatrics.jmir.org/2019/2/e14518/
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2196/14518
UR  - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31782739
DO  - 10.2196/14518
ID  - info:doi/10.2196/14518
ER  -