Cultural Adaptation of Group Parenting Programs: Review of the Literature and Recommendations for Best Practices

2021/04/28 by Samantha Schilling, Alexander Mebane, Krista M. Perreira
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development #Early Childhood Education and Development #Parental Involvement in Education

paper · doi:10.1111/famp.12658

crossref issued 2021/04/28 · crossref published 2021/04/28 · crossref published-online 2021/04/28 · openalex publication_date 2021/04/28 · crossref created 2021/04/28 · crossref published-print 2021/12/01 · crossref deposited 2023/08/25 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · crossref indexed 2026/07/28 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

Group parenting programs based on cognitive-behavioral and social learning principles are effective in improving child behavior problems and positive parenting. However, most programs target non-Hispanic, White, English-speaking families and are largely inaccessible to a growing Hispanic and non-White population in the United States. We sought to examine the extent to which researchers have culturally adapted group parenting programs by conducting a systematic review of the literature. We identified 41 articles on 23 distinct culturally adapted programs. Most cultural adaptations focused on language translation and staffing, with less focus on modification of concepts and methods, and on optimizing the fit between the target cultural group and the program goals. Only one of the adapted programs engaged a framework to systematically record and publish the adaptation process. Fewer than half of the culturally adapted programs were rigorously evaluated. Additional investment in cultural adaptation and subsequent evaluation of parenting programs is critical to meet the needs of all US families.

Citations

• Group parent training with immigrant chinese families: enhancing engagement and augmenting skills training
• The Strong African American Families Program: Translating Research Into Prevention Programming
• Ecological validity and cultural sensitivity for outcome research: Issues for the cultural adaptation and development of psychosocial treatments with Hispanics
• Culturally adapted psychotherapy and the legitimacy of myth: A direct-comparison meta-analysis.
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• A Culturally Adapted Intervention for Mexican‐Origin Parents of Adolescents: The Need to Overtly Address Culture and Discrimination in Evidence‐Based Practice
• Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change.

Related

• A Culturally Adapted Intervention for Mexican‐Origin Parents of Adolescents: The Need to Overtly Address Culture and Discrimination in Evidence‐Based Practice
• Group parent training with immigrant chinese families: enhancing engagement and augmenting skills training
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• The ROOTS Parenting Intervention to Improve Child Emotional and Physical Health: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial for Black and Latiné Families
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