IRIS MEDIA INC — Department of Health and Human Services SBIR Phase II: NIMHD

Description

DESCRIPTION provided by applicant The central aim of this Phase II project Mi Nueva Familia My New Family MNF Media based Spanish language culturally relevant parenting education for divorced or separated Latino families is to continue development of a parenting education program for divorcing or separating Latino parents The content of MNF is derived from the evidence based Parent Management Training Oregon model PMTO tm Patterson and adapted to meet the needs of Latino parents undergoing separation or divorce These needs include access to culturally responsive mental health and family support services that reflect the lived experiences of Latino parents and specifically access to services delivered in Spanish To meet these needs MNF relies on video models with whom Latino families can easily identify and which are presented in Spanish with English translation or subtitles as well as printable summary sheets action plans and downloadable audio exercises for skill practice Phase I resulted in modules initial tests with the target population showed promising improvements in Latino parentsandapos knowledge of positive parenting strategies parenting behavior and self efficacy in stress management During Phase II we will develop additional modules focused on giving directions and limit setting monitoring family fun helping children cope and managing conflict We will also develop mobile games to complement the modules and provide opportunities for parents and children to interact in a positive manner Development activities will be followed by an efficacy study to evaluate the entire MNF program We will conduct a randomized control study with Spanish speaking Latino parents and their children We will test whether compared to the Treatment as Usual TAU control group administration of the MNF program over an eight week intervention period a increases parent self efficacy b increases parent knowledge c decreases parental stress d improves parenting practices and e results in improvements in child behavior MNFandapos s content as well as delivery offers a needed innovative approach to parent training for Latino families experiencing separation or divorce Cultural adaptation of evidence based parenting strategies instructional gamification to enhance the interactive nature of the training and easy access to the training via a variety of electronic platforms including a mobile app are directly responsive to the currently insufficientl met needs of Latino parents experiencing separation or divorce The commercialization potential for MNF is high due to mandated parenting education through divorce in most U S states as well as Canada and Puerto Rico In addition many jurisdictions request resources that assist Latinos specifically Most importantly the program addresses an important and underserved need for separating and divorcing Latino parents PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE Latino parents experiencing separation or divorce need easy access to culturally responsive and evidence based programs promoting positive parenting The stress and conflict that often occur during divorce or separation can increase childrenandapos s vulnerability to maladjustment antisocial behavior delinquency and substance abuse Mi Nueva Familia My New Family blends cultural adaptation of evidence based parenting strategies instructional gamification to enhance interaction between parents and children and delivery via a variety of electronic platforms including a mobile app to meet the needs of Latino parents experiencing separation or divorce as well as those of their children