Tri-ministry study: Correlates of school-based parenting course utilization

This study examined factors associated with the utilization of universally available school-based parent training. In a randomly selected, prospective ly screened, unreferred community sample of 1,498 5- to g-pear-olds, 28% to 46% of families of children with high parent-reported externalizing proble ms enrolled. Externalizing problems, first-child status, and a high school education were associated with increased enrollment. Single-parent status, immigrant background, and limited extracurricular child activities were ass ociated with lower enrollment. Economic disadvantage, stress, family dysfun ction, and parental depressive symptoms were not associated with participat ion. Most families attributed nonparticipation to busy personal schedules, inconvenient times, and logistical difficulties.