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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) program on the parent participants of a study group. This study also investigated the effects of the STEP program on the parent participants' grade 8 child. A critical review of the related literature suggested that programs, such as STEP, do not demonstrate significant statistical evidence in support of the proposition that they change the parent-child relationship, the child's "behaviour and the child's performance in school. It was hypothesized that there would he no statistically significant difference between the experimental group and the control group in: (1) parental attitudes related to child-rearing as perceived by the participants; (2) family climate as founded upon inferred interaction by the participants and their grade 8 child; (3) parent-adolescent communication as perceived by the; participant and their grade 8 child; and (4) the grade 8 child's behaviour as inferred by the participant and by the teacher. All measures on the posttest between the experimental group and the control group showed no significant change. The results of the study suggest that the STEP program is not an effective method in promoting change in the parent-child relationship. It is felt that for significant changes to occur, more sessions should "be provided to give the participants' the opportunity to practise the skills and principles presented. It is also recommended that the STEP program as it exists, must he modified to more appropriately meet the needs of parents of adolescents.