The Development of an Adapted Coparenting Program: Tuning in to Kids Together

ABSTRACT

Group-based parenting programs can effectively improve parenting and child wellbeing; however, these programs are predominantly attended by mothers. Actively involving both parents has the potential to maximize program outcomes, as it allows the coparenting relationship to be targeted alongside parenting practices. Researchers suggest that one way of achieving this is to integrate coparenting content into existing, evidence-based parenting programs. Tuning in to Kids is an emotion-focused parenting program that provides an effective foundation for adaptation, given the benefits of the program and the nature of the content (i.e., parents learn the skill of emotion coaching that may also benefit the coparenting relationship). This paper outlines the process of adapting Tuning in to Kids through the integration of coparenting content and increased focus on the family system. The process was guided by the Medical Research Council framework for complex intervention development (i.e., identifying the evidence, developing a theoretical model, modeling the intervention process) and resulted in the development of Tuning in to Kids Together (TIK-Together). The program adaptation was designed to target Australian coparents and was informed by Australian evidence. TIK-Together aims to improve the coparenting relationship, in addition to supporting parenting practices and child emotional development.

KEYWORDS:

• Parenting program
• Tuning in to Kids
• coparenting
• emotional competence

Acknowledgements

We thank Philip Cowan and Carolyn Pape Cowan for providing their guidance and sharing their experiences of working with couples and families. This research was conducted as part of C.A.’s PhD thesis which is supported by the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Domestic Scholarship.

Disclosure statement

Program author, Havighurst, wishes to declare a conflict of interest in that she may benefit from positive reports of Tuning in to Kids. Proceeds from dissemination of Tuning in to Kids provide funding for development and research with the program. Tuning in to Kids’ authors and the University of Melbourne receive royalties from proceeds of manual sales. Ambrosi and Kavanagh declare no conflict of interest.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Notes

1. The terms ‘caregiver’ and ‘parent’ refer to an adult responsible for raising a child, regardless of biological status. These terms are used interchangeably throughout.