Parenting programme marks 20 years of support in Finland

A parenting programme developed by American professor emerita Carolyn Webster-Stratton has been used in Finland for 20 years, Yle reports. The programme supports children with behavioural problems and is used in 23 countries.

Webster-Stratton, who visited the University of Turku, said cooperation between parents, teachers and other people working with children was essential in addressing behavioural problems.

“We start with the goals of the parents and teachers. This is a universal issue. All parents want their children to succeed at school and at home,” Webster-Stratton said.

She also highlighted the importance of support from other parents. Meeting people with similar problems can help parents feel less alone, she said.

Group guidance proves effective

Webster-Stratton developed the Incredible Years parenting programme more than 40 years ago. Research into the programme found that group sessions using video-based modelling improved positive interaction between parents and children and reduced problematic behaviour more effectively than individual parent guidance.

Group support can also help parents feel more confident and reduce anxiety and depression, Webster-Stratton said.

During her first visit to Finland, she lectured, trained Finnish group leaders and visited the Child Psychiatry Research Centre at the University of Turku.

Praise, rewards and clear routines

In the Southwest Finland region, Incredible Years parenting groups are organised at family counselling centres and at the child psychiatry unit of Turku University Hospital.

The children who take part most commonly have difficulties with self-regulation and attention, as well as aggression.

Psychologist Anna Kuusakoski, who leads the groups, said recognising good behaviour through praise and encouragement was the most important principle. Rewarding children for good behaviour, along with clear routines and rules, was also important in everyday life.

The groups also examine the reasons behind children’s behaviour. Kuusakoski said the programme sought to challenge the idea that a child was bad or acted deliberately out of spite. The behaviour could instead be linked to a lack of skills, sensitivity related to temperament or a lack of motivation.

Parents have reported that their interaction with their children became more positive after attending the groups and that they needed to forbid their children from doing things less often. Many parents considered peer support the most important benefit, and some continued to stay in touch after the sessions ended.

Professor calls for more prevention

The University of Turku’s Child Psychiatry Research Centre supports the use of the Incredible Years programme in Finland, trains group leaders and participates closely in its international network.

Professor Andre Sourander said parenting programmes could help with a considerable range of problems. They often assist with difficulties experienced by families even when the child has no diagnosis.

Sourander said psychiatric care focused too heavily on diagnoses and that support should be available regardless of diagnosis.

“Identifying problems has certainly improved enormously, but almost all healthcare spending still goes to corrective services. Investing in preventive services would be highly valuable for the national economy,” Sourander said.