Promoting Healthy Families: A Canadian Evaluation

The overall goal of the evaluation is to provide robust evidence about the implementation and effectiveness of two parenting programs, the Triple P and Circle of Security Parenting (COSP), in the province of Ontario, on parenting practices and functioning, and child emotional behaviour problems outcomes, and secondary outcomes including selected child maltreatment-related outcomes. These objectives will be achieved in two phases. The investigators will conduct a multi-site, three-arm randomized controlled trial of 600 participating caregivers and their children to compare Triple P (level 4 group) and COSP to treatment as usual (TAU) with respect to improving positive practices and child outcomes. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the three conditions using stratified (by site) block randomization. All participants will undergo screening and a baseline assessment before randomization. Once randomized, the Triple P and COSP caregivers will receive 8-week session. The TAU group will receive a different program, or short therapy sessions depending on the organization. Caregivers will complete follow-up assessments at post-treatment, 6- and 12-months.