Enhancing Child Outcomes Through High-quality Parent Education

Resilient children and youth are able to experience positive outcomes despite the presence of risk factors that may threaten their development (Masten, 2001). Some researchers have suggested that positive, healthy, effective parenting can increase resilience in children (e.g., Burns et al., 2013; Masten, 2001). Parents are often inundated with information regarding the best way to perform the functions of parenting to ensure children are safe, healthy, and developing to their full potential. Parent education programs can instruct parents in the healthiest parenting styles and the most effective parenting practices and how to use them. Through this, parent education programs can guide and support parents to bolster child and youth outcomes. This research report, based on a thorough review of existing empirical and theoretical literature, describes theoretical underpinnings and common components of highly effective parent education programs, as well as important considerations for various modes of delivery.