Feasibility of a Digital Parent Support Group Chat Intervention to Prevent Child and Adolescent Maltreatment in the Philippines: A Pilot Mixed Methods Study

This study examined the preliminary outcomes, feasibility, and acceptability of MaPaChat, a parent support group intervention delivered using Viber group chat delivered to Filipino caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Forty caregivers of children aged 4-17 from predominantly low-income households participated in a culturally adapted version of the Parenting for Lifelong Health ParentChat program. A single-group pre-post design was used to assess changes in the primary outcomes of child maltreatment, positive parenting, and parenting stress; and secondary outcomes of parent depression, child behavior problems, parenting self-efficacy to reduce sexual abuse risk, intimate partner violence, and attitudes toward punishment. Feasibility was assessed by enrollment, attendance, and dropout rates. Semi-structured interviews with caregivers and program facilitators explored program acceptability. Pre-post comparisons showed reductions in physical and emotional abuse, parenting stress, parent depressive symptoms, child behavior problems, child behavior problem intensity, women’s intimate partner violence victimization; and an increase in parental efficacy in preventing sexual abuse risk. The mean attendance rate was 82% and the dropout rate was 10%. Caregivers and facilitators found the program helpful in enhancing parenting knowledge and skills and were satisfied with the program delivery using Viber group chat but also reported experiencing technological challenges.