“Thinking Child” Program: Effects on Parenting Styles and Family Problem-Solving Skills

Abstract

Abstract<br /> <br /> <strong>Introduction:</strong> This study, which was framed within the context of a developing country, aimed to evaluate the impact of the Thinking Child problem-solving program on parenting styles and family problem solving skills.<br /> <strong>Methods:</strong> A hundred and four mothers in Tehran voluntarily participated in the Thinking Child sessions, conducted weekly by experienced trainers for 9 sessions. A single group pre- and post-test pilot design was executed. Outcome measures included the Parenting Style Questionnaire and Family Problem Solving Scale.<br /> <strong>Results:</strong> The findings bolstered the effectiveness of the program on problem-solving processes and parents' relationships with their children specifically, showed a significant reduction in authoritative and authoritarian parenting styles and also revealed an increase in permissive parenting style.<br /> <strong>Conclusion:</strong> The Thinking Child intervention displays promising results for trainings involving problem-solving skills in parents. However, it should be used in conjunction with a complementary intervention while parent training is executed.