Can a Brief Strength-Based Parenting Intervention Boost Self-Efficacy and Positive Emotions in Parents?

Abstract

Although strength-based interventions have been employed with general and targeted adult samples, to date, no published research has examined the effect of strength-based interventions for parents. Given that parenting can trigger both ill-being and wellbeing outcomes, more research is needed to examine how to help parents thrive and to meet Seligman’s (Am Psychol, 54(8), 559–562, 1999) early calls for the application of positive psychology in families. The current study (N = 137) measured the effect of a three-week strength-based parenting intervention on parental self-efficacy and positive emotions using a quasi-experimental, waitlist comparison group design. Parents were shown how to iden..