Cluster randomized controlled trial of a phone-based caregiver support and parenting program for Syrian and Jordanian families with young children

Highlights

  • First impact evaluation of phone parenting program for Syrians and Jordanians.

  • Parenting intervention decreased caregiver-reported depressive symptoms.

  • No impacts on parenting outcomes were detected.


Abstract

For refugee caregivers who may live in remote areas or be a highly mobile population, creating parenting programs that fit their needs and accommodate their mobility can be highly beneficial. In this article, we evaluate a 6-month, audio-only early childhood development (ECD) intervention delivered via phone (3 calls per month) to caregivers of Syrian and Jordanian backgrounds in Jordan. A sample of stipended community health volunteers (CHVs; N = 99) and their caseloads of caregivers (n = 2,298) was randomized to calls with health and nutritional content (control group) or calls with health, nutritional, and added parenting and caregiver-focused content (including content adapted from the Reach Up and Learn model). Hypothesized outcomes included reduced caregiver depressive and anxiety symptoms, parenting stress, and harsh discipline; increased parent-child learning activities and parenting self-efficacy. Exploratory outcomes (all caregiver-reported) included child development; and caregiver engagement in activities related to health and child learning following the calls. Exposure to the treatment condition resulted in a statistically significant reduction in caregivers’ depressive symptoms (d=-0.11). No other statistically significant impacts were found. Implications of these findings for caregiver interventions are discussed.

Download the full paper from Early Childhood Research Quarterly.

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Community Engagement for Early Childhood Development (ECD) Programs: Perspectives of the Rohingya and Other Stakeholders in Cox’s Bazar 

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Examining the Validity of an Observational Tool of Classroom Support for Children’s Engagement in Learning