A controlled evaluation of a brief parenting psychoeducation intervention in Burundi

Purpose

Conduct problems and emotional distress have been identified as key problems among children and adolescents in post-war Burundi. This pilot study aims to evaluate the impact of a brief parenting psychoeducation intervention on children’s mental health.

Methods

This study employs a controlled pre and post evaluation design. The two-session psychoeducation intervention was offered to groups of parents of children (mean age 12.3 years, 60.8 % female) who had been screened for elevated psychosocial distress. Children in the intervention group (n = 58) were compared to a waitlist control group (n = 62). Outcome indicators included child-reported levels of aggression (using the Aggression Questionnaire), depression symptoms (using the Depression Self Rating Scale) and perceived family social support.

Results

The intervention had a beneficial effect on reducing conduct problems compared to the control condition (Cohen d = 0.60), especially among boys, while not showing impact on depression symptoms or family social support. Parents evaluated the intervention positively, with increased awareness of positive parenting strategies and appropriate disciplinary techniques reported as the most common learning points.

Conclusion

A brief parenting psychoeducation intervention conducted by lay community counselors is a promising public health strategy in dealing with widespread conduct problems in boys living in violence-affected settings and not so for social and emotional indicators and for girls. An efficacy study is warranted to confirm these preliminary findings.