Supporting Parents in a New Country Adjusting to parenthood in a new country presents significant challenges. Many immigrant parents face language barriers, financial difficulties, and cultural differences that can complicate their ability to support their children's adaptation to Swedish society. These challenges can contribute to increased stress within the family and, in some cases, elevate the risk of child maltreatment-particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas. However, research suggests that strong social support and positive parenting strategies can mitigate these risks. Sweden, known for its high levels of trust in authorities, has implemented various initiatives to assist families, especially those new to the country. One such initiative is Parenting in Sweden (PiS), a structured program designed to help foreign-born parents navigate Swedish society, understand their rights, and support their children's development. Delivered in five sessions, the program covers key topics such as the Swedish school system, healthcare services, parental rights, and challenges related to raising teenagers. This study aims to assess whether participation in PiS increase parents' trust in social services. Additionally, it explores whether the program encourages parents to enroll their children in extracurricular activities, which are known to support child development. Another important aspect under investigation is whether the program can help reduce the risk of parents resorting to harsh disciplinary practices. To evaluate these outcomes, the study follows a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design. Immigrant parents of children aged 0-17 are invited to participate, with half assigned to complete the full five-session program and the other half (control group) placed on a waiting list, receiving a group meeting to discuss films related to moving to Sweden. All participants will complete surveys assessing their trust in social services, their children's participation in extracurricular activities, and their parenting practices. These surveys will be administered before and after the program, as well as six months later, to track any changes over time. The primary objective is to determine whether participation in PiS leads to increased trust in social services. Additional expected benefits (exploratory analysis) include promoting positive parenting behaviors, such as seeking help when needed and actively engaging children in structured activities outside of school. By examining the effectiveness of parental support programs facilitating integration, this study aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of how structured interventions can help families navigate life in Sweden. If the program proves successful in fostering trust and encouraging positive parenting, it may have long-term benefits for both parents and children, ultimately supporting their well-being and integration into Swedish society.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
200
A group-based program for immigrant parents of children aged 0-17, providing essential information on key aspects of family life in Sweden. The intervention consists of five weekly three-hour sessions, combining lectures, group discussions, and interactive exercises, led by a trained group leader and, when necessary, an interpreter. The following topics are discussed: * Parenting in a New Country - Adapting to cultural changes and supporting children's integration. * Education \& Child Development - School system, parental involvement, and learning support. * Healthcare \& Well-being - Access to healthcare, preventive care, and mental health. * Parents' Rights \& Responsibilities - Child welfare laws, positive discipline, and social services. * Parenting Teenagers - Navigating adolescence, peer relationships, and risk prevention.
Parents in the control group are asked to participate in a gathering where they will watch two short films from the Swedish Educational Broadcasting Company (UR), followed by a brief discussion. The films have been handpicked by representatives from BRIS and PLUS together with the researchers to create an opportunity for a meeting. The first film "A way in - first meeting" shows a family from Iran living in Sweden for 1,5 years and explores how one can establish a place in society. In the second film "Make new friends" it is illustrated how hard it can be to create a new social context. The intention with the short films is not to give a short version of PiS, but to engage parents in the study and the program so they will complete them.
Stockholm - distibuted
Stockholm, Stockholm County, Sweden
What are the effects of PiS on the level of trust in social services among parents born outside of Sweden?
The research question will be assessed through the question, "Overall, to what extent do you trust that those who work in Social services (SS) do their job?" ranked on a 5-point Likert scale.
Time frame: From enrollment to 6 months after.
How valid and reliable is an adapted government trust scale for measuring trust in social services?
By using an adjusted version of a validated scale for the measure of trust in government, trust in social services will be assessed. The instrument measures on a 5-point Likert scale. English translation: * SS can help me feel well. * SS listen and try to understand what people say. * SS make decisions that help people. * SS is wise. * SS has sufficient knowledge to help me. * SS does their job well. * SS does what is best for people. * If people need help, SS does their best to help them. * SS makes decisions that help people manage on their own. * SS does everything to protect people. * SS cares about how people feel. * For SS, what politicians think is more important than how people feel. * SS tells it like it is. * SS does what they say they will do. * Those who work in SS are honest people. * It is possible to understand how SS has made their decisions.
Time frame: From enrollment to 6 months after.
Does participating in PiS increase enrollment of children in organized after-school activities
The number of children attending organized after-school activities will be measured through a forced-choice question: Do your children attend any organized after-school activities? If the answer is no, parents are given a number of options to tick .
Time frame: The question is asked in the baseline survey at enrollment and asked again at the 6-month follow-up.
Does participating in PiS decrease risk factors of child maltreatment?
Risk factors for use of child abuse will be assessed through a validated questionnaire, Brief Child Abuse Potential Inventory (BCAP) developed by Ondersma et al. BCAP is a shortened version of the screening tool for detecting potential child maltreatment, the Child Abuse Potential Inventory (CAPI). The CAP Inventory is a self-report measure of 160 forced-choice (agree/disagree) questions. But some characteristics, such as the length of the questionnaire and the complex scoring system, limit the screening tool's usefulness, which is why the shorter version was developed. BCAP contains seven factors: Distress, Family Conflict, Rigidity, Happiness, Feelings of Persecution, Loneliness, and Financial Insecurity. These factors are not used to produce individual factor scores but to ensure the Abuse Risk scale includes a range of dimensions associated with physical child abuse risk.
Time frame: From enrollment to 6 months after.
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