Technology-based parent school: A randomized controlled trial

Objective: This study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the technology-based parent school program. Design: The study was conducted in the well-child care outpatient clinic of a hospital in Turkey. Data were collected between October 31, 2022 and February 17, 2023. The parent school was prepared based on Meleis' transition theory. Sample: Forty-eight parents participated in the study. Parents in the intervention group participated in a 10-week parent school program (five website modules, five online interactive group trainings, and counseling). Measures: Data were collected before the program, after the program, and 1 month after the program. Results: There were increases in the mean scores of the “Parent Skill Assessment Form” and “Skills Assessment Form for the Toddler Development” items in the intervention group compared to the control group. The difference between the groups in the mean scores of the Self-Efficacy for Parenting Task Index Toddler Scale (1–3 years) was not statistically significant. However, the difference between the times was statistically significant. Conclusion: It was concluded that the technology-based parent school training program could guide parents with children aged 1–3 years on child-rearing. Trial registration: It was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov in May 2022 (NCT05370989).