9.3.1 The value of relationships to self-efficacy development and parenting programme provision (268)

Karen Whittaker, Senior Lecturer, Department of Nursing, University of Central Lancashire, preston, United Kingdom Co authors: Sarah Cowley

Abstract:

Background:

Connections between parenting, early life and later behaviour have influenced a growth in parenting programmes provided by health and social care services across the developed world.

Aim:

The study aimed to develop an understanding of how parents experience formal parenting support in order to strengthen delivery of such services.

Methods:

The study was designed using the theory driven Pawson and Tilley (1997) realistic evaluation framework. It drew on Bandurian social learning theory to identify within a UK parenting programme evidence of ‘what works for whom in what circumstances’. Qualitative data collection methods (in-depth interviewing and participant observation) were used to study 18 purposively selected individual and collective case studies (mothers (n=38), fathers (n=2) and practitioners (n=21)). Data were thematically analysed to identify evidence of the context, mechanism and outcome combinations pertinent to parents’ parenting service experiences.

Results:

Parents’ service involvement was marked by five separate phases and central to these were the interpersonal relationships operating in both formal and informal situations. Through these relationships parents were exposed to different sources of self-efficacy, which influenced their service experiences.

Discussion:

The realistic evaluation evidence revealed how interpersonal relationships were key factors in determining whether parents accessed and/or used formal parenting support. This evidence is used to challenge and suggest a modification to Bandura’s (1997) existing schema depicting the principle determinants of causation that explain human learning and a development of personal self-efficacy.

Conclusions:

To maximise potential benefits from parenting programmes health visitors (public health nurses) can orchestrate parental exposure to sources of self-efficacy. However, they need to take account of the wider context of community and family life, and invest in the relationships they have with parents.

Recommended reading list:

  • Bandura A (1997) Self-Efficacy: The Exercise of Control. New York: W.H. Freeman and Company
  • Pawson R, Tilley N (1997) Realistic Evaluation. London: Sage

Source of Funding: UK - Health Service (National)

Amount in Funding: 10,001 - 50,000

Biography:

Karen Whittaker completed her nurse and health visitor training at Manchester University in 1989. She gained most of her professional practice experience as a health visitor in Salford during the 1990’s. During this time she also had the opportunity to return to Manchester University employed as a Research Assistant for an ENB funded study exploring the educational needs of Community Nurses, which became the focus of her Masters Degree. Since that time she has worked as a health visitor in Blackburn and Preston and for a period of time combined practice with lecturing. Karen lecturers at the University of Central Lancashire and holds an NHS research training fellowship to support part time doctoral study at King’s College, London. Her research publications reflect her experience in both parenting support and community nurse education.