Brief Description
Triple P is a positive parenting program that teaches parents practical and simple strategies that will help them to confidently manage the behavior of their children and build healthy, strong relationships. Triple P assumes parents have varying needs and need different levels of support. Triple P has a system that is flexible and increases in intensity. It starts with general information, then moves to mid-range advice (tip sheets, workshops, and parenting advice) before offering clinical help to parents experiencing serious behavioural problems.
The program focuses on cognitive-behavioral therapy, community mobilization, conflict resolution, counseling, and social work. It also includes family therapy and parent training.
Goals
The Triple P program has three main objectives:
- Parents’ knowledge, skills, and confidence will be enhanced.
- Encourage children to grow up in a nurturing, safe, and engaging environment that is low-conflict, non-violent, and free of violence.
- Positive parenting techniques can help children develop their social, emotional, and intellectual skills, as well as their language, intellect, and behaviour, while also reducing any problems they may have with their behavior.
Clientele
Parents with children aged 0-12 who have significant behaviour problems with their children or whose children are exhibiting behavior issues are the appropriate clients for the Triple P Program.
Referrals to the program are made through community outreach campaigns, which include newspaper ads and brochures placed in schools, childcare centers, and healthcare facilities. Recruitment can also be done through professional referrals.
Core Components
Triple P has five levels of intervention, each with decreasing intensity. The program also targets a smaller population. Families with at least one infant or child between the ages of birth and 12 are eligible to participate in any of the five levels of programming. Parents decide how much assistance they need. Each level of intervention has different program activities:
- Level 1 – Universal Triple P: A media campaign is used to reach parents seeking assistance. The Media campaign includes some guidelines and tips for parents but is primarily used to spread the word about Triple P and parent training seminars.
- Selected Triple-P Level 2: This level is primarily aimed at parents dealing with minor issues or behaviour problems that don’t require intensive intervention. This intervention is available in two formats: a brief consultation for individual parents or a parenting seminar delivered to large groups. Brief consultations are one or two 20-minute meetings, while the other format is three 90 minute sessions for large groups of parents.
- This level is for families with young children, including infants and toddlers. Four 20-minute consultations are delivered, which include active skills training as well as parenting tips sheets covering common developmental issues and behaviour problems (e.g., potty training).
- Level 4 – Standard and Group Triple P: Targets populations of children with detectable problems that may not have been clinically diagnosed and parents who struggle to raise their children. This level of intervention is delivered in two different formats. First, 10 sessions lasting approximately 90 minutes each with families. Second, large groups receive 8 sessions. Five of the sessions are two-hour sessions where parents can learn from observation, discussion and practice. Three 15- to 30 minute follow-up telephone sessions are available to give parents additional support as they implement what they learned at home.
- Level 5 Enhanced Triple-P: This is a version optional of level 4, but is designed for parents who need a more serious intervention. This level of programing includes modules on partner communication and mood management. It also addresses parent-child issues.
Installation Information
The following are some of the most important elements to consider when implementing this program or initiative:
- Organizational requirements: It is important to tailor workshops, seminars, and activities by age group in order to adequately address parents’ concerns.
- Partnerships: Organizations should collaborate with daycare centers, healthcare facilities and schools as well as other community-based organisations.
- Technical assistance and training: Before they can administer the program, practitioners must attend a 2-day course of instruction and a 1-day course for accreditation.
- Tools for risk assessment: Limited information on this subject.
- Resources & Materials: Limited information on this subject.
Endorsements International
This program or initiative has been classified by the most widely recognized systems of evidence-based criminal prevention programs.
- Blueprints to Healthy Youth Development: Promising
- Crime Solutions/OJJDP Model Program Guide: Effective – One study
- SAMHSA National Registry of Evidence-based Programs & Practices: Not Applicable
- Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy :Near top Tier
Gathering Canadian Knowledge
Canadian implementation sites
Triple P is implemented in three provinces: Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario.
The main findings of canadian outcome evaluation studies
McConnell, along with colleagues from the University of Alberta, conducted an outcome evaluation of the Triple P over a 12-week period in 2012. The Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research funded the study. The study aimed to determine if implementation of Triple P levels 2 and 3, designed for primary care settings in Alberta, enhanced parent, child and family outcomes when compared to services as usual. The study used a quasi-experimental design with a single-blind post-test only.
The results of this evaluation revealed the following:
- Parents who took part in a parent education group and received Triple P interventions reported slightly higher levels of satisfaction with their needs than parents who did not take part in the group but still participated in parent education.
- There was no significant difference between the Triple P group and the service as usual group on any secondary outcomes measures, including parenting stress and positive interaction.
Cost information
Costs are not provided in Canadian dollars. In 2013, the cost to implement the Triple P program in the United States was $2,367.393 (USD). In a community of 100,000 families, the total cost of $2,367.393 (USD), is $23.67 per family. Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development (2015).
