Development of an On-line Evidence-based Positive Parenting Program for Families With Adolescents Exhibiting Mental Health Problems (Bienestar)

Mental health problems in the child and adolescent population constitute a major challenge for society, not only because of their high prevalence but also because they undermine opportunities for the healthy development of young people, negatively impacting the wellbeing and progress of societies. Furthermore, these problems have important consequences on families of adolescents, who experience an increase in support needs, requiring effective and quality resources that allow them to adequately face the difficulties, while at the same time optimizing their parental skills to promote the development of their offspring.

Although nowadays there are more and more institutions that understand formal support to families as a social responsibility and that relies on psychoeducational programs to promote positive parenting as a beneficial strategy, the truth is that available resources aimed at covering the specific needs presented by families with adolescents with mental health problems are still scarce. Moreover, the recent emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in even fewer evidence-based programs that are adapted to this new reality. A reality that imposes strict measures of social distance, and which generates new needs and difficulties for all families and, especially, for those who were previously in a situation of vulnerability.

In line with these approaches, and grounded in the conviction of the need to carry out applied research that is capable of transferring to society solutions derived from science and innovation, this project proposes the design, implementation, and evaluation of an online psycho-educational intervention program for families of adolescents with mental health problems.

The project presented, in line with the Spanish Law 14/2011 of 1 June on Science, Technology, and Innovation, is based on the recognition that tasks of generation, dissemination, and transference of scientific knowledge are inherent to research, as well as on the premise that the results derived from publicly funded projects should be transferred to society, contributing to the progress of citizens and meeting social challenges. In accordance with these considerations, this project aims to contribute to improving the quality of life of the families of adolescents with mental health problems by recognizing and meeting their needs, as well as optimizing parental and family skills. The achievement of this goal will involve obtaining evidence derived from empirical research that will return to society through the development and provision of an empirically validated psychoeducational intervention program aimed at promoting positive parenting in families of adolescents with mental health problems.