世界银行-暴力管教与父母行为：虚拟育儿支持对照顾者的短期和中期影响（英）-2023.6-94页_7mb

Violent Discipline and Parental Behavior: Short- and Medium-term Effects of Virtual Parenting Support to Caregivers

This paper examines a virtually-delivered intervention designed to reduce violent discipline against children and promote positive parenting practices in Jamaica. Approximately 75% of young children globally experience violent discipline, with Jamaica ranking third highest in violence against children in Latin America.

Intervention Design

• Virtual Irie Homes Toolbox (vIHT): A 10-week program adapted from an in-person parenting intervention
  • Three SMS messages per week providing key tips (+30 total messages)
  • Access to a data-free app with videos and resources
  • Weekly virtual group sessions with ECC specialists

Key Findings (Short-Term Effects)

• Caregiver Knowledge: 0.52 SD increase in violence prevention knowledge
• Attitudes Toward Violence Against Children: 0.2 SD improvement (p < 0.01)
• Violent Behaviors: 0.12 SD reduction in violence against target child (p < 0.05)
• Child Outcomes: 0.17 SD reduction in emotional problems (p < 0.01)

Key Findings (Medium-Term Effects)

• Caregiver Mental Health: Significant reductions in depression (-0.12 SD), anxiety (-0.16 SD), and parental stress (-0.16 SD)
• Caregiver Knowledge: Persistent 0.39 SD knowledge improvement (p < 0.01)
• Caregiver Attitudes: Continued improvement in violence-related attitudes (0.14 SD, p < 0.05)

Mechanisms

• Treatment effects driven primarily by improvements in knowledge and self-efficacy
• Support networks showed limited improvement

Take-Up Rates

• 92% received SMS/via WhatsApp messages found useful
• 45.6% attended virtual sessions

Policy Implications

• Virtual delivery offers scalable solution to address widespread violence against children
• Cost-effectiveness comparable to in-person interventions
• Potential for policy implementation at national and international levels

Conclusion

The virtual parenting intervention demonstrated significant short- and medium-term reductions in violence against children and improved parenting practices. These findings highlight the potential of digital behavioral change interventions to improve child well-being through positive parenting approaches.