Family Foundations To promote parent mental health and family functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia: A mixed methods evaluation

Evidence-based family-based interventions targeting parent mental health and partner conflict during community-wide crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic are scarce. Family Foundations (FF), a 10-week couple/parent-based intervention targeting parent mental health, conflict and co-parenting was delivered via video-conferencing during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to: (1) explore parents' and clinicians' experiences and perceived benefits of FF, and (2) assess pre–post intervention changes in parent mental health, interparental conflict and co-parenting behaviour. A mixed methods evaluation was conducted with 62 families with young children experiencing parent mental health difficulties and/or parental conflict. Qualitative interviews with parents and FF clinicians were conducted, and intervention outcomes were assessed using mother-report surveys. Maternal stress and anxiety symptoms decreased and co-parenting support and parenting warmth increased following FF. Parents expressed high satisfaction with FF despite the perceived limited cultural and family structure diversity in the videos. Although some activities were modified and clinicians were more directive in their style of delivery, FF was implemented with fidelity. Importantly, telehealth delivery made FF accessible to meet the needs of families during the pandemic when in-person services were not available. These findings will inform further development and evaluation of telehealth FF during community-wide crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Family Studies is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

The COVID-19 pandemic and Australian parents with young children at risk of interparental conflict.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has created many challenges for families across the world, with those who have recently had a baby particularly vulnerable to increased stress Study Aim: The current study aimed to explore the experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic of families who have recently had a baby in Melbourne, Australia. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with sixteen parents participating in a family-based intervention during early parenthood and seven clinicians who delivered the program. RESULTS: Parents and clinicians described impacts of the pandemic on parent and family functioning included mental health concerns, stress and irritability, feelings of isolation, and increased relationship tension. Parents discussed coping strategies used during the crisis, including activities with their family, connecting with others, trying to stay positive, and self-care activities such as spending time outdoors. Both parents and clinicians acknowledged the importance of mental health and parenting support during and following the pandemic, and for these services to be promoted and easily accessible. DISCUSSION: The study highlights the mental health and parenting support needs of families during times of crisis and emphasises the importance of early intervention for families exhibiting poor communication and relationship tension.