Providing evidence of effectiveness of our program work has become increasingly important to all of us. Funding sources often require it, and even when they don’t, we can agree that when we take time to evaluate what works and what doesn’t, we see improved results from our efforts to strengthen families and children. Active Parenting demonstrates its commitment to scientific rigor by providing access to our own studies published in peer reviewed journals, sharing other independent research on AP programs, and by offering the free use of our program evaluation surveys to leaders.
Over 40 Years of Evidence: Active Parenting Works!
Summary
Read and download our summary of 19 studies that span more than 40 years of Active Parenting history and provide strong scientific evidence of the efficacy of the Active Parenting model.
Abstracts
Click here to read abstracts of all the studies in the Active Parenting evidence base.
2019 Field Study Results
We have completed an extensive national field study of Active Parenting and Active Parenting of Teens providing evidence of effectiveness for these research-based programs.
Research results
Active Parenting 4th Ed.
- Mullis, F. (1999). Active Parenting: An evaluation of two Adlerian parent education programs. The Journal of Individual Psychology, Vol. 55, No. 2, summer 1999. [current site]
- Foley, Y. C. (2006, Revised 2017). Active Parenting Now and Active Parenting of Teens: An evaluation of two parenting programs. Unpublished manuscript. [in 2018 website file]
- Fashimpar, G. A. (2000). Problems of parenting: Solutions of science. Journal of Family Social Work, 5(2), 67–80.
- Active Parenting final program evaluation report (Utica City Schools Safe Schools/Healthy Students grant)
Research for Active Parenting Now
Active Parenting Now was the third edition of this program.
- This program was included in SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP) as a Legacy program. Click for the report.
- Listed in California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC)
- 2019 Field Study Results
- Active Parenting final program evaluation report
Research for Active Parenting Today
Active Parenting Today was the second edition of this program.
- Active Parenting: An Evaluation of Two Adlerian Parent Education Programs
- Obesity prevention in preschool Native-American children
- Effects of the Active Parenting program on children’s interpersonal behavior as observed in a playroom setting
- A descriptive study of parenting styles and behaviors of 4-year-old children when parents participate in a parenting education program
Research for Active Parenting Discussion Program
Active Parenting Discussion Program was the first edition of this program.
- Effects of the Active Parenting program on attitudinal change of parents, parent-perceived behavioral change of children, and parent-perceived change in family environment
- Implementing the Active Parenting program in the Baltimore County Public Schools: A final report
- Excerpts from the evaluation results of the state of Washington broadcast of the Active Parenting program
- An evaluation of three parent training programs
- Problems of parenting: Solutions of Science
- Reaching our human potential in Montana: An overview of building human capital through Montana State University and Active Parenting
- Active Parenting: A video-based program
- The impact of the Active Parenting program on the moral development and parenting skills of parents
- A case study on the effect of an Adlerian parent education program on parental attitudes and child-rearing techniques
- Evaluation of an Adlerian parent training program with multiple outcome measures
Third party evidence-based websites listing the program
- Listed in Penn State Clearinghouse of Military Family Readiness (includes 1,2,3,4 Parents, the original version of Active Parenting: First Five Years, as well as Active Parenting and Active Parenting of Teens). Click to view the Clearinghouse listing.
- NY State OASAS (Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services) Registry of Evidence-Based Programs for Prevention. Click here to view the Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and the List of OASAS Evidence-based Programs and Strategies for Prevention.
- California Evidence-based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare. Click to view the CEBC listing.
- NREPP: SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP) was long considered “the gold standard” for evidence-based programs. Active Parenting, Active Parenting of Teens, and Families in Action were listed as legacy programs from 2008 until NREPP was closed by SAMHSA in 2018. At that time, the current re-review of our programs had been completed and was waiting for publication. The re-review also included Active Parenting: First Five Years and Active Parenting for Stepfamilies as versions of the Active Parenting program. Click here for the program profile NREPP had completed for the review.
Measurement tools
Questionnaire
This questionnaire contains three scales: Parent Observation of Child Behavior, Parent Attitudes and Beliefs, and Parent Behavior. Together, they may be used free of charge to provide evidence of your program’s effectiveness.
Active Parenting Class Evaluation Form
(can be used for any Active Parenting class)
Use this form to collect information from parents about what they liked and what needs improvement in your classes. Click to download a Word file that can be customized to meet your needs.
