Council of Young
Filipinx Americans in medicine

Abstract:

 

Evidence-based parenting interventions are proven to be efficacious in preventing child mental and behavioral health problems. However, there are significant challenges in engaging and retaining parents, particularly among hard-to-reach populations such as Filipino Americans. The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential role of social networking in promoting the retention of Filipino families in the Incredible Years® parenting program. The Incredible Years® (IY) is a program that targets parenting knowledge and skills to strengthen parent-child relationships and prevent child conduct problems. In this study, we conducted interviews with Filipino parents (N=15) who previously enrolled in the program. Questions explored parents’ social media use, input on creating an online private group for parents, and input on the content of this online group. Interviews were then transcribed and coded to identify themes. A grounded theory analytic approach was used to analyze transcripts. Results indicate that participants supported using a social media-based online group as a supplement to parenting classes. Although there were mixed opinions regarding privacy in this online group, participants agreed that potential benefits include having a source of parental social support and a tool to maintain program interest among enrolled parents. Social Networking is therefore a promising medium to increase parenting program engagement and retention in the Filipino American community.

 

Keywords: Filipino, Youth Mental Health, Parenting