Effects of "Parenting in Sweden" on Trust in Social Services

Official title

Effects of "Parenting in Sweden" on Trust in Social Services - a Randomized Controlled Trial

Overview

Supporting Parents in a New Country Adjusting to parenthood in a new country presents significant challenges. Many immigrant parents face language barriers, financial difficulties, and cultural differences that can complicate their ability to support their children's adaptation to Swedish society. These challenges can contribute to increased stress within the family and, in some cases, elevate the risk of child maltreatment-particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas. However, research suggests that strong social support and positive parenting strategies can mitigate these risks. Sweden, known for its high levels of trust in authorities, has implemented various initiatives to assist families, especially those new to the country. One such initiative is Parenting in Sweden (PiS), a structured program designed to help foreign-born parents navigate Swedish society, understand their rights, and support their children's development. Delivered in five sessions, the program covers key topics such as the Swedish school system, healthcare services, parental rights, and challenges related to raising teenagers. This study aims to assess whether participation in PiS increase parents' trust in social services. Additionally, it explores whether the program encourages parents to enroll their children in extracurricular activities, which are known to support child development. Another important aspect under investigation is whether the program can help reduce the risk of parents resorting to harsh disciplinary practices. To evaluate these outcomes, the study follows a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design. Immigrant parents of children aged 0-17 are invited to participate, with half assigned to complete the full five-session program and the other half (control group) placed on a waiting list, receiving a group meeting to discuss films related to moving to Sweden. All participants will complete surveys assessing their trust in social services, their children's participation in extracurricular activities, and their parenting practices. These surveys will be administered before and after the program, as well as six months later, to track any changes over time. The primary objective is to determine whether participation in PiS leads to increased trust in social services. Additional expected benefits (exploratory analysis) include promoting positive parenting behaviors, such as seeking help when needed and actively engaging children in structured activities outside of school. By examining the effectiveness of parental support programs facilitating integration, this study aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of how structured interventions can help families navigate life in Sweden. If the program proves successful in fostering trust and encouraging positive parenting, it may have long-term benefits for both parents and children, ultimately supporting their well-being and integration into Swedish society.

Interventions

• Behavioral Structured group discussions
  A group-based program for immigrant parents of children aged 0-17, providing essential information on key aspects of family life in Sweden. The intervention consists of five weekly three-hour sessions, combining lectures, group discussions, and interactive exercises, led by a trained group leader and, when necessary, an interpreter. The following topics are discussed: * Parenting in a New Country - Adapting to cultural changes and supporting children's integration. * Education \& Child Develop
• Behavioral Unstructured group meeting
  Parents in the control group are asked to participate in a gathering where they will watch two short films from the Swedish Educational Broadcasting Company (UR), followed by a brief discussion. The films have been handpicked by representatives from BRIS and PLUS together with the researchers to create an opportunity for a meeting. The first film "A way in - first meeting" shows a family from Iran living in Sweden for 1,5 years and explores how one can establish a place in society. In the second

Primary outcome measures

• What are the effects of PiS on the level of trust in social services among parents born outside of Sweden? [Time frame: From enrollment to 6 months after.]

Secondary outcome measures (3)

• How valid and reliable is an adapted government trust scale for measuring trust in social services? [Time frame: From enrollment to 6 months after.]
• Does participating in PiS increase enrollment of children in organized after-school activities [Time frame: The question is asked in the baseline survey at enrollment and asked again at the 6-month follow-up.]
• Does participating in PiS decrease risk factors of child maltreatment? [Time frame: From enrollment to 6 months after.]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

• All parents invited to participate in PiS can take part in the study.
• Eligibility extends to parents born outside of Sweden who have children aged 0 to 17 years.
• There are no restrictions regarding the length of time since their migration to Sweden; i.e., participants may have lived in Sweden for decades prior to joining. - - Literacy is not a requirement for participation.

Exclusion criteria

• Individuals who are unable, physically or not willing, to sign a consent form will not be eligible to participate in the study.

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation

Randomized

Model

Parallel assignment

Masking

Single blind

Primary purpose

Other

Study locations

Sweden · 1 center

• Stockholm - distibuted — Stockholm

Identifiers

NCT: NCT06874998 · 2024-06868-01

Primary sources (government registries)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (US NIH)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗