Dissertation
A pilot study examining initial acceptability and feasibility of a remote coaching intervention to improve parenting skills in parents of children with overweight and obesity
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Jun 2020
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00000239
Abstract
Childhood obesity is a significant public health concern. Family-Based Behavioral Treatment (FBT) is the first-line treatment for childhood obesity; however, outcomes are sub-optimal. Parents play a central role in influencing children's eating and weight control behaviors, yet parenting skills show little change during treatment. Thus, a key target for improving FBT outcomes may be to increase parent acquisition and implementation of effective parenting skills related to promoting healthy weight control behaviors in children. In-vivo parent coaching offers a more efficacious means to teach effective parenting skills in the moment. In addition, remote parent coaching may circumvent typical barriers to adherence to FBT, such as difficulties with scheduling and attendance. The current study developed and tested the initial feasibility and acceptability of a remote, in-the-moment parent coaching intervention with a small pilot sample (N = 5). Improvements in parenting skills, child dietary changes, and parental self-efficacy were also examined. Results indicated that the treatment was feasible to implement and acceptable to participants; however, low recruitment rates may indicate lower rates of acceptability more broadly. Participating in the treatment program increased child fruit and vegetable intake and increased use of effective parenting skills, particularly offering and modeling tasting of new foods. Participants also reported fewer child feeding problem behaviors and improved parental self-efficacy for effectively managing mealtime problem behaviors following the intervention. Initial results indicate early promise of this remote coaching intervention as an adjunct to standard FBT programs, although further evaluation with larger samples is warranted.
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Details
- Title
- A pilot study examining initial acceptability and feasibility of a remote coaching intervention to improve parenting skills in parents of children with overweight and obesity
- Creators
- Brittney Christine Evans
- Contributors
- Evan M. Forman (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- x, 149 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991014695239004721