A community-based parenting program with low-income mothers of young children

Research has established a significant relationship between certain parenta l characteristics, such as income or parenting practices, and the developme nt of child behavior problems. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a parenting program far low-income parents of children one to five years old which was offered through community-based family resource centers. Seventy- one mothers completed the program and showed significant decreases in their use of verbal and corporal punishment and significant increases in nurturi ng behaviors: their children's behavior also Improved significantly. Forty- five percent of parents also met Jacobson and Truax's (1991) criteria for c linically significant change. Implications for practitioners working with t his challenging population are discussed.