Do testimonials improve parental perceptions and participation in parenting programmes? Results of two studies

Abstract

Despite the effectiveness of parenting interventions in both prevention and intervention with child emotional and behavioural problems, parental participation in evidence-based programmes remains low, limiting the benefit to the population. This research examines a new population parental engagement strategy for parenting programmes using video testimonials via two studies. The first study compared the use of parent versus expert testimonials, against a no testimonial condition on parenting programme evaluations with 70 parents. The second study compared expert testimonials which were framed in a fear or non-fear context, with 73 parents. Results indicated no significant effect of source of testimonial or content of testimonial on parental evaluations of the programme or behavioural outcomes. Trends favoured expert testimonials over parent testimonials. Implications for population level engagement strategies are discussed.

Keywords

child behaviour engagement parenting interventions testimonials

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Braverman J. ( 2008) Testimonials versus informational persuasive messages: the moderating effect of delivery mode and personal involvement. Communication Research 35(5): 666-694.

Buller DB , Young WF , Fisher KH and Maloy JA ( 2007) The effect of endorsement by local opinion leaders and testimonials from teachers on the dissemination of a web-based smoking prevention program. Health Education Research 22: 609-618.

Cappella JN ( 2006) Integrating message effects and behavior change theories: organizing comments and unanswered questions. Journal of Communication 56: S265-S279.

Heinrichs N. ( 2006) The effects of two different incentives on recruitment rates of families into a prevention program. The Journal of Primary Prevention 27(4): 345-365.

Irvine AB , Ary DV , Grove DA and Gilfillan-Morton L. ( 2004) The effectiveness of an interactive multimedia program to influence eating habits. Health Education Research 19: 290-305.

Leslie E. , Marshal AL , Owen N. and Bauman A. ( 2005) Engagement and retention of participants in a physical activity website. Preventive Medicine 40: 54-59.

Lundahl B. , Risser HJ and Lovejoy MC ( 2006) A meta-analysis of parent training: moderators and follow-up effects. Clinical Psychology Review 26: 86-104.

Martin BAS , Wentzel D. and Tomczak T. ( 2008) Effects of susceptibility to normative influence and type of testimonial on attitudes toward print advertising. Journal of Advertising 37: 29-43.

Mittelstaedt JD , Riesz PC and Burns WJ ( 2000) Why are endorsements effective? Sorting among theories of product and endorser effects. Journal of Current Issues and Research in Advertising 22: 55-65.

10.

Morawska A. and Sanders MR ( 2006) A review of engagement and strategies to promote engagement with parenting interventions. Journal of Children’s Services 1: 29-40.

11.

Nice (2006) Parent-training/Education Programmes in the Management of Children with Conduct Disorders. London: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.

12.

O’Connell ME , Boat T and Warner KE (eds) ( 2009) Preventing Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Disorders Among Young People: Progress and Possibilities. Washington, DC: National Academic Press.

13.

Owens JS , Richerson L. , Murphy CE , Jageleweski A. and Rossi L. ( 2007) The parent perspective: informing the cultural sensitivity of parenting programs in rural communities. Child Youth Forum 36: 179-194.

14.

Prinz RJ and Dumas JE ( 2004) Prevention of oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder in children and adolescents. In: Barrett PM and Ollendick TH (eds) Handbook of Interventions that Work with Children and Adolescents . Chichester: Wiley, pp. 475-488.

15.

Riet JV , Ruiter RAC , Werrij MQ and Vries HD ( 2008) The influence of self-efficacy on the effects of framed health messages. European Journal of Social Psychology 38: 800-809.

16.

Sanders MR ( 2008) The Triple P-Positive Parenting Program as a public health approach to strengthening parenting. Journal of Family Psychology 22(4): 506-517.

17.

Sanders MR , Markie-Dadds C. , Rinaldis M. , Firman D. and Baig N. ( 2007) Using household survey data to inform policy decisions regarding the delivery of evidence-based parenting interventions. Child: Care, Health and Development 33(6): 768-783.

18.

Sanders MR , Markie-Dadds C. and Turner KMT ( 1996) Positive Parenting. Brisbane , Australia: Triple P International.

19.

Sanders MR , Markie-Dadds C. and Turner KMT ( 2004) Every Parent’s Survival Guide. Brisbane, Australia: Triple P International.

20.

Sanders M. , Markie-Dadds C. and Turner KMT ( 2005) Every Parent’s Survival Guide [DVD]. Brisbane, Australia: Triple P International .

21.

Sawyer MG et al. (2000) The Mental Health of Young People in Australia . Canberra: Mental Health and Special Programs Branch, Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care.

22.

Segrave K. ( 2005) Endorsements in Advertising: A Social History. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company .

23.

Smith SL ( 1997) The effective use of fear appeals in persuasive immunization: an analysis of national immunization intervention messages. Journal of Applied Communication Research 25(4): 264-292.

24.

Spoth R. , Redmond C. , Hockaday C. and Shin CY ( 1996) Barriers to participation in family skills preventive interventions and their evaluations: a replication and extension. Family Relations 45: 247-254.

25.

Stead M. , Gordon R. , Angus K. and McDermott L. ( 2007) A systematic review of social marketing effectiveness . Health Education 107(2): 126-191.

26.

Stephenson MT , et al. (2006) Using persuasive messages to encourage voluntary hearing protection among coal miners. Journal of Safety Research 36: 9-17.

27.

Till B. and Busler M. ( 2000) The match-up hypothesis: physical attractiveness, expertise and the role of fit on brand attitude, purchase intent and brand beliefs. Journal of Advertising 29: 1-13.

28.

Wang A. ( 2005) The effects of expert and consumer endorsements on audience response. Journal of Advertising Research 45: 402-412.

29.

Whittaker KA and Cowley S. ( 2010) An effective programme is not enough: a review of factors associated with poor attendance and engagement with parenting support programmes . Article published online: DOI:10.1111/j.1099-0860.2010.00333.x.

30.

WHO (2006) Preventing Child Maltreatment: A Guide to Taking Action and Generating Evidence. Geneva : WHO.

31.

Witte K. ( 1993) Message and conceptual confounds in fear appeals: the role of threat, fear and efficacy. The Southern Communication Journal 58(2): 147-155.

32.

Witte K. and Allen M. ( 2000) A meta-analysis of fear appeals: implications for effective public health campaigns. Health Education & Behavior 27: 591-615.