The Effects of a Parenting Program on Parental Disciplinary Beliefs and Practices in Uganda: Self-reported Influence of Help a Child’s Parenting Challenge

Abstract

This study examines the self-reported influence of The Basic module of Help a Child’s parenting program, the Parenting Challenge, on parental disciplinary beliefs and practices in Uganda. Through qualitative research encompassing 80 interviews with 40 (grand) parents across two villages, results show a self-reported transition from physical disciplinary methods to advisory approaches post-training. Additionally, parents note improvements in communication strategies on household level when employing advisory approaches. Furthermore, unexpected shifts in community dynamics underscore the interconnectedness between parental disciplinary behavior and communal factors. The change in communal ambiance is linked to heightened social interactions, stricter social control and decreased alcohol consumption. This, according to parents, diminishes conflicts on community-level, resulting in less parental anger which impacts their disciplinary methods. These findings emphasize the multifaceted influence of the program on individual and communal dynamics, highlighting its potential for fostering positive parental disciplinary practices within Ugandan communities. While promising, I suggest the need for long-term program evaluation and further exploration of communal influences on disciplinary practices in multiple contexts. I recommend refining research instruments to capture nuances in disciplinary beliefs and practices and assessing advisory approach contents.