Online evidence-based parenting interventions delivered in real-world settings

Evidence-based parenting supports can be useful in addressing child behavioural and emotional problems. However, most supports adopt an in-person format, which is a barrier to accessibility for some families. This study evaluated the effectiveness of three online Triple-P parenting programs. Findings showed that online participation demonstrated improvements across a range of child and parenting outcomes, including a decrease in child behavioural and emotional problems and an increase in parenting confidence. This suggests that online delivery of parenting interventions may help improve accessibility for some families and communities and may be considered a first line of support.

Why is this important?

• Evidence-based parenting supports (EBPS) have evidence that they can be effective in addressing child behavioural and emotional problems. However, most require in-person attendance, and not all families can access them.
• Online parenting interventions may improve accessibility, but information about the effectiveness of online formats is currently limited.

What did they do?

• The study evaluated the effectiveness of three online Triple P EBPS programs available in Australia: Triple P Online, Fear-less Triple P Online and Triple P Online for Baby.
• The researchers examined child and parent outcomes after parents completed a Triple P online program. They also assessed whether parenting and child behaviour characteristics measured before the program were linked to child and parent outcomes after the program.
• Data were collected from 2,254 parents who completed pre-, post- and follow-up assessment questionnaires.
  • Parent self-efficacy (i.e. confidence in managing day-to-day parenting tasks) was measured using the ‘Parent Self-Efficacy Monitoring Scale’ before and after the intervention.
  • Other measurements related to child behavioural and emotional adjustment, family functioning, child anxiety, parenting confidence and behaviours of newborns that parents find challenging.
• Parents were also asked to provide feedback about their experience using the online program, including how satisfied they were with the program.

What did they find?

• Participation in the Triple P online interventions demonstrated improvements across a range of parent and child outcomes.
• Results showed that participation in a Triple P online program was associated with decreases in child behavioural and emotional problems over time and improvements in parenting confidence and mental health.
• Parents who began the program facing greater parenting difficulties and child behavioural issues experienced the most significant improvements.
• Participants felt satisfied with the services offered across the interventions. The online format provided an accessible and inclusive pathway to participation for parents from a wide range of backgrounds.

What does this mean for practice?

• The study suggests that well-designed online parenting interventions can generate meaningful changes in child behaviour and emotional wellbeing, as well as parenting confidence. The authors propose that online programs can serve as a first line of support.
• Integrating online parent interventions into the public health system could potentially reduce pressure on face-to-face services. The authors state that online delivery models may also help address challenges of reaching marginalised and remote communities.
• Online services – and provision of information about digital evidence-based parenting interventions to parents – may help improve accessibility to beneficial parental supports and offer a more inclusive approach to promoting positive parenting.

This summary is one of the child mental health research highlights for August 2026, prepared by the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS).