Effectiveness of a Facilitator-Led Internet-Based Parent Management Training (Net PAMA Program) on Positive Parenting Skills Among Parents of Children Aged 7-12 Years: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Thailand

Abstract

Objective: This quasi-experimental study evaluated the effectiveness of a facilitator-led, internet-based parent training program (Net PAMA) in improving positive parenting skills among parents of children aged 7-12 years. Materials and Methods: The study involved 99 parent-child pairs, divided into an intervention group of 59 pairs and a control group of 40 pairs. Data were collected at three time points: before training, immediately after, and at a 3-month follow-up. The effectiveness of the training was measured using the Positive Parenting Scale (POPS), the Thai version of the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC-17), and a pictorial self-esteem scale for children. Statistical data were analyzed using a linear-mixed model. Results: The study found no significant difference between the intervention and control groups in parent- or child-reported POPS scores at the 3-month follow-up. However, within the intervention group, both parent-reported (p < 0.001) and child-reported (p = 0.017) POPS scores significantly increased from baseline to the 3-month follow-up. Similarly, although between-group differences in PSC-17 scores were not significant, parent-reported PSC-17 scores in the intervention group decreased significantly from baseline (p = 0.002). Notably, children in the intervention group had significantly higher self-esteem scores than the control group at the 3-month follow-up (p = 0.003). Conclusion: The facilitator-led Net PAMA program was effective in enhancing child self-esteem but ineffective in increasing positive parenting skills and reducing child behavioral problems. Nevertheless, the results are promising and support further investigation with a larger sample size and more rigorous study design.