Triple P dips toe in Middle East

The hectic streets of Tehran may be a long way from Brisbane but Iran and Australia share a lot in common, particularly when it comes to parenting.

Iran is the latest country to trial the Brisbane-based parenting program Triple P — Positive Parenting Program.

Already used in 14 countries across Europe, Asia, and North America Triple P teaches parents to build positive relationships with their children, tackle discipline and set family rules and reasonable limits for their children.

UQ Psychology Professor Matt Sanders, the Director of Triple P and UQ’s Parenting and Family Support Centre, spent two-weeks in the Iranian capital in January showcasing the parenting program.

The Eastern Mediterranean office of the World Health Organisation had asked him to consult with Iran’s Ministry of Health and Medical Education about parenting interventions.

“I ran a three day training program for about 35 professionals in Tehran,” Professor Sanders said.

“We were looking at capacity building whereby Triple P could be made more widely available to Iranian families.”

The Ministry of Health is looking at how to introduce Triple P more widely.

“We’re planning an evaluation trial and looking at how the program could be implemented through the primary health care system in Iran.

“Many of the parenting difficulties that we have with children here they have there.

“But there are some specific cultural and religious issues to do with the Islamic world that means Triple P has to be made culturally relevant and appropriate but most professionals I met saw it as being very relevant.”

He said Triple P’s cultural relevancy to Iranian families will be further tested before it is expanded.

Iran health officials learned of Triple P through a colleague, Dr Javad Alaghband-Rad from the Tehran Medical School, who had evaluated Triple P for use in Iran.

Professor Sanders said he hoped introducing Triple P into Iran may lead to further interest in the program throughout the Middle East.

Triple P is being translated into several languages including Arabic, Mandarin and Malay and is being used by Indigenous groups in Australia and Canada.

The program was created by Professor Sanders and his team from UQ’s Parenting and Family Support Centre in the School of Psychology and is based on over 25 years of ongoing research.

Media: Professor Sanders (07 3365 7290, m.sanders@psy.uq.edu.au) or Miguel Holland at UQ Communications (07 3365 2619)