A pilot study on the impact of a home-based parenting intervention: Parents Plus

This article reports on a pilot study undertaken in order to explore the impact of a home-based parenting intervention (Parents Plus), on parents and families. Parents Plus is part of a Welsh Early Years strategy called Flying Start and aims to promote positive parent–child interactions. This article explores the medium-term to long-term impact of the intervention. One hundred and ninety-seven families who received the intervention between 2000 and 2007 were sent letters advising they would be telephoned to take part in a survey about their perceptions of Parents Plus, and were given the choice to opt out of the research. A total of 21 mothers participated in a short telephone survey, and six mothers participated in in-depth interviews that explored changes in family life in more detail. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic content analysis. The results showed that the intervention had a dual impact: practical tips and techniques to help manage behaviour, and emotional support for mothers. The article presents in diagrammatic form mothers' reported changing experiences and attitudes towards their need for help and their esteem as parents through the intervention period