Efficacy of the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) for parents of young children with type 1 diabetes

The intervention consists of two, 2-hour group discussion sessions, Positive Parenting for Healthy Living, designed to target the direct and indirect pathways of parenting impact on child outcomes i.e. parenting practices, and parenting confidence and stress. The content of the sessions draws on the theoretical principles that form the basis of Triple P, and is designed to be interactive and provide opportunities for discussion. The first session focuses on providing parents with strategies that empower them to prevent and manage problem behaviours and ensure their children are implementing their illness prevention and management plan appropriately (e.g. monitoring their condition appropriately, taking medication as prescribed). The second session is designed as an introduction to the principles of positive parenting in the context of child chronic illness management, to promote positive parenting practices, assist parents to develop effective disciplinary methods, and help create environments conducive to caring relationships between parents and their children. It begins with a discussion of why children with diabetes may be at risk of behaviour problems, before examining common parenting traps from the perspective of parenting a child with diabetes, followed by assertive discipline strategies. Parents are encouraged to take their child to regular, ongoing visits with their usual diabetes team.