University of Queensland study offers help with child behaviour problems

If you’re responsible for a child aged 2-8 years whose behaviour is in some way worrying you, The University of Queensland’s Parenting and Family Support Centre has good news.

The Centre, which has developed the highly acclaimed Triple P positive parenting program, is seeking parent participation in a Southeast Queensland study designed to measure how well its principles can be communicated through mass media.

Parents concerned about any aspect of their child or children’s behaviour can receive a series of Triple P television programs, newspaper articles and radio talkback tapes, that the Centre is confident will help them understand and deal with most common problems. These resources are provided free of charge.

Triple P is already widely employed by health authorities and practitioners throughout Australia. The program is easily understood and put into practice, and usually requires only small changes to make big differences to children’s behaviour and family relationships as a whole.

To access Triple P, parents usually go to an accredited GP, psychologist, psychiatrist, counsellor or community health worker, however its authors believe the system can also be effectively delivered through newspapers, television and radio.

“Many people who need parenting advice and suggestions can’t always get to professional counsellors,” says Triple P founder, Professor Matt Sanders, “Some examples are those in rural areas, working parents, or families with financial constraints. One of the strengths of Triple P is that it makes complex issues simple with practical suggestions clinically proven to work for most families. We believe we can convey a level of understanding through the media sufficient to help resolve many problems without professional intervention.”

Professor Sanders said sources of concern might include disobedience, fighting and aggression, tantrums, problems at mealtime or with sleeping patterns, persistent crying, trouble at school – any of the host of common issues that make parenting the experience it is.

“We’re not confining this study to extreme situations,” said Professor Sanders, “Parents should simply feel that they need a degree of experienced advice and support to help them achieve an improvement – and if so, they are not alone. Approximately 18% of Australian children have an identifiable mental health problem, many of which are behavioural.”

Those wishing to participate have simply to call The University of Queensland Parenting and Family Support Centre on (07) 3365 7290. Numbers are limited so it would be wise to avoid delay.

“Those who participate have absolutely nothing to lose,” says Professor Sanders, “There is no cost, they receive and absorb the material we send them, and we will be in touch from time to time throughout the study to see how they’re progressing so there is personal support as well. Most parents, and their children, will have a great deal to gain.”

Media: for further information, contact Leanne Booker, Project Coordinator, or Professor Matt Saunders at the Parenting and Family Support Centre (telephone 07 3365 7290).