Delivering Take Root to military families with a child 0-to-3-years-old: Examining feasibility and proof-of-concept
Research Report:
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Chesnut, R. P., Rudy, T. L., Welsh, J. A., & Perkins, D. F. (2022). Delivering Take Root to military families with a child 0- to 3-years-old: Examining feasibility and proof-of-concept. Military Behavioral Health, 10(3), 156-171. https://doi.org/10.1080/21635781.2021.1977203
Abstract Created by REACH:
Take Root is a web-based program designed to improve parenting competence (e.g., parenting efficacy), reduce stress (e.g., increase parent self-care), and improve family functioning among military and civilian parents of children aged 0–3 years old. 55 military-connected parents (i.e., Service members, Veterans, spouses) participated in five 90-minute sessions. Data from pretest and posttest measures were collected to assess the feasibility of the research protocol (e.g., survey completion), the feasibility of implementation (e.g., parent engagement, website ratings), and proof of concept (e.g., parenting efficacy changes) for the program. Take Root appears to be a feasible program that may improve parenting efficacy.
Focus:
Children
Parents
Programming
Branch of Service:
Army
Navy
Marine Corps
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Guard
Reserve
Veteran
Subject Affiliation:
Guard/Reserve member
Veteran
Active duty service member
Spouse of service member or veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Methodology:
Quantitative Study
Authors:
Chesnut, Ryan P., Rudy, Terri L., Welsh, Janet A., Perkins, Daniel F.
Abstract:
Parents influence their child’s positive development, and this is especially true during early childhood. In military families, the largest percentage of children are between 0 and 5 years old, and there is growing interest in developing and disseminating parent-focused interventions that target this age range for military parents. The present study examines the feasibility and proof-of-concept of the universal, web-based, Take Root parenting program, which was designed to empower military and civilian parents with a 0- to 3-year-old child in their parenting role and support positive child development. Seventy-nine participants were recruited from two Armed Services YMCA locations in fall 2019 and summer 2020. Results indicate that executing the research protocol and implementing the program among military families with young children were feasible. Further, significant pre- to post-changes in self-reports of parenting efficacy, mindful relaxation, and family functioning were found; however, when a Bonferroni-Holm correction was applied to account for multiple testing, only parenting efficacy remained significant. Collectively, the favorable results indicate the potential usefulness of Take Root for military families with young children and support the need for further, more rigorous evaluations of the program.
Publisher/Sponsoring Organization:
Taylor & Francis
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Author Affiliation:
Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness, Penn State University, RPC
Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness, Penn State University, TLR
Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness, Penn State University, JAW
Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness, Penn State University, DFP
Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education, Penn State University, DFP
Keywords:
feasibility, health promotion, infants and toddlers, military, parent-focused interventions, positive parenting, proof-of-concept, stress management, universal prevention, web-based delivery
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary
REACH Newsletter: