An intervention to improve the self-efficacy of key workers to support parental wellbeing at an early childhood intervention service in Australia: a stepped wedged randomized cluster trial
Creators: name: Young, Dana
name: Reynolds, John
name: Tonmukayakul, Utsana
name: Carter, Rob
name: Swift, Elena
name: Williams, Katrina
name: McDonald, Rachael
name: Reddihough, Dinah
name: Carracher, Rod
name: Ireland, Paul
name: Tracy, Jane
name: Kenyon, Cassie
name: Gibbs, Lisa
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2022
Subjects: Medicine
Neuroscience
Biotechnology
Developmental Biology
Cancer
Science Policy
Mental Health

description: It is well documented parents of children who have a disability are at an increased risk of poor mental health and wellbeing. A capacity building program designed to build key worker self-efficacy to support the mental health of parents accessing early childhood intervention services (ECIS) for their child was trialled. A stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial design was utilised to deliver and evaluate a 12-month intervention program, comprising tailored professional development, resource development and sustainability measures. The repeated measurements on individuals in six clusters over three follow-up periods were analysed using linear mixed models. Comparison of the control and new program statistical means (adjusted for period effects) were assessed with an <i>F</i> test. Key workers reported increased confidence to talk to parents about their own wellbeing (<i>d</i> = 0.51, <i>F</i>(1, 51.8) = 4.28, <i>p</i> = 0.044) and knowledge of parental mental wellbeing improved (<i>p</i> = 0.006). A reduction in staff sick leave partially offset the cost of the intervention. A multi-pronged intervention targeted at key workers was found to be an effective way to ensure parental wellbeing is supported at an ECIS in Australia. ACTRN12617001530314Implications for RehabilitationThere are implications for the development of children whose parents are experiencing high stress and poor mental health, whereby parents of children with disability or developmental delays are at increased risk.Findings from this study support the recommendation that a key worker is provided to holistically support families who access Early Childhood Intervention Services to aid in reducing poor parental wellbeing and child outcomes.Improved confidence to support and initiate conversations regarding parental wellbeing by key workers, in combination with support from management and the organisation to undertake this as part of their role, is a positive finding from this intervention study. There are implications for the development of children whose parents are experiencing high stress and poor mental health, whereby parents of children with disability or developmental delays are at increased risk. Findings from this study support the recommendation that a key worker is provided to holistically support families who access Early Childhood Intervention Services to aid in reducing poor parental wellbeing and child outcomes. Improved confidence to support and initiate conversations regarding parental wellbeing by key workers, in combination with support from management and the organisation to undertake this as part of their role, is a positive finding from this intervention study.