How do parents experience Guided Self-Help (GSH) parenting programmes?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
How do parents experience Guided Self-Help (GSH) parenting programmes?
IRAS ID
312564
Contact name
Harriet J Smart
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Regent's University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
NA, NA
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 2 days
Research summary
Structured parenting programmes have been widely researched and found to be helpful in supporting the parent-child relationship. However the process of change within such programmes is less well understood. To better understand this researcher intends to explore parents’ experience of a specific parenting programme called Guided Self-Help (GSH) for Behaviour Problems. This programme is part of the UK government’s Five Year Forward View for Mental Health (2016). The theoretical framework is based on attachment theory and social learning principles and is designed to support parents of primary-school aged children to manage common relational challenges such as withdrawing, lashing-out or defiance. Current research suggests that structured communication strategies are helpful tools to support change. However, emerging research suggests that the process, which strengthens parental self-awareness, can increase understanding of the child’s emotional and relational needs. This awareness can help build the parents’ insight into their interactions with their child and support change. Using a qualitative research method, based on semi-structured interviews, the researcher intends to gather data of parents’ subjective experience of this programme. Interviews will be conducted with six parents living across South West London who have completed this programme. Ethics approval has been gained from Regents University, the NHS Health Research Authority, and the Research and Development Department of South West London St George’s Mental Health Trust (SWLSTG’s). Participants will provide informed consent and all personal information that references participants or third parties will be anonymised. The researcher is aware of her position as parent, practitioner and previous employee of SWLSTG Trust and the potential biases this may have on the research process. The researcher believes her findings will be of clinical relevance to clinicians working with parents of young children by providing information about the process that influences change within GSH parenting programmes and supports the parent-child relationship.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/SC/0202
Date of REC Opinion
14 Oct 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion