Effectiveness of Structured Parent Education on Management of Behavioral Problems Among School-Age Children

Short Communication

Effectiveness of Structured Parent Education on Management of Behavioral Problems Among School-Age Children

Pralhad Moodagi ¹
Suresh Loni ²
Ananda ³
Ibrahim Abdul Azeez Mulla ^4*

1Associate Professor and HOD, Department of Child Health Nursing, Shree Siddeshwar Samsthe College of Nursing, Vijayapur, Karnataka, India.

2Assistant Professor, Department of Child health Nursing, Shree Siddeshwar Samsthe College of Nursing, Vijayapur, Karnataka, India.

3Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, SDS TRC and RGICD College of Nursing, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

4Lecturer, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Shree Siddeshwar Samsthe College of Nursing, Vijayapur, Karnataka, India.

*Corresponding Author: Ibrahim Abdul Azeez Mulla, Lecturer, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Shree Siddeshwar Samsthe College of Nursing, Vijayapur, Karnataka, India.

Citation: Moodagi P, Loni S, Ananda, Mulla IAA. (2026). Effectiveness of Structured Parent Education on Management of Behavioral Problems Among School-Age Children, International Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Research, BioRes Scientia Publishers. 6(4):1-4. DOI: 10.59657/2997-6103.brs.26.134

Copyright: © 2026 Ibrahim Abdul Azeez Mulla, this is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Received: March 02, 2026 | Accepted: March 12, 2026 | Published: March 16, 2026

Abstract

Background: Behavioral problems among school-age children are increasingly recognized as an important public health concern. Problems such as aggression, hyperactivity, anxiety, and disobedience can negatively affect children's academic performance, emotional development, and social relationships. Parents play a crucial role in identifying and managing behavioral problems in children. Structured parent education programs can enhance parental knowledge and improve parenting practices, thereby helping to manage behavioral problems effectively.

Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured parent education program on the management of behavioral problems among school-age children.

Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test control group design was adopted. The study was conducted among 100 parents of school-age children selected through purposive sampling. The participants were divided into experimental (50) and control (50) groups. The experimental group received a structured parent education program on behavioral management, while the control group received routine information. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, parental knowledge questionnaire, and behavioral problem checklist. Statistical analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: The findings revealed that the post-test knowledge scores of parents in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05). Additionally, behavioral problem scores among children showed a significant reduction after the educational intervention.

Conclusion: Structured parent education programs are effective in improving parental knowledge and reducing behavioral problems among school-age children. Incorporating parent education programs in school health and community health services can promote child mental health.

Keywords: parent education; behavioral problems; school-age children; parenting intervention; child mental health

Introduction

Childhood is a critical period for emotional, behavioral, and psychological development. During this stage, children may exhibit a range of behavioral problems such as aggression, hyperactivity, temper tantrums, disobedience, and emotional instability. These behavioral problems may negatively affect academic performance, peer relationships, and overall mental health.

The increasing prevalence of behavioral problems among children has become a major concern for parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals. Environmental factors, family dynamics, parenting styles, and social influences contribute significantly to the development of behavioral problems.

Parents play a central role in shaping the behavior and personality of children. Effective parenting practices, emotional support, and consistent discipline can help children develop positive behavioral patterns. However, many parents lack adequate knowledge and skills to manage behavioral problems effectively.

Parent education programs aim to improve parental knowledge regarding child development and behavioral management strategies. Such programs equip parents with skills such as positive reinforcement, effective communication, emotional support, and appropriate discipline techniques.

Nurses working in community and school health settings play a vital role in educating parents about child behavior and parenting strategies. Parent education interventions can help in early identification and management of behavioral problems in children.

Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured parent education program on the management of behavioral problems among school-age children.

Review of Literature

Behavioral problems in children are commonly associated with poor academic performance, emotional difficulties, and social maladjustment. Studies have shown that parenting practices significantly influence children's behavioral development.

Parent training and education programs have been widely used to improve parenting skills and reduce behavioral problems among children. Research studies have reported that structured parenting interventions improve parental knowledge and reduce aggressive and disruptive behaviors in children.

Parent education programs focusing on communication skills, emotional support, and positive discipline strategies have demonstrated significant improvements in child behavior and family relationships. These interventions empower parents to manage behavioral issues effectively and promote positive child development.

Despite increasing awareness of child mental health issues, many parents still lack knowledge about behavioral problems and appropriate management strategies. Hence, structured parent education programs are essential for improving parenting practices and preventing behavioral problems among children.

Objectives of The Study

To assess behavioral problems among school-age children.
To assess the knowledge of parents regarding management of behavioral problems.
To evaluate the effectiveness of a structured parent education program.
To compare behavioral problem scores among children before and after the intervention.
To determine the association between parental knowledge and selected demographic variables.

Hypotheses

H1: There will be a significant difference in the post-test knowledge scores of parents in the experimental and control groups.

H2: Behavioral problem scores among children will significantly decrease after parent education.

Materials and Methods

Research Design

A quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test control group design was used.

Setting

The study was conducted in selected schools.

Population

Parents of school-age children aged 6-12 years.

Sample Size

A total of 100 parents were included in the study:

Experimental Group: 50 parents
Control Group: 50 parents

Sampling Technique

Purposive sampling technique was used.

Inclusion Criteria

Parents of children aged 6-12 years
Parents willing to participate in the study
Parents available during the study period

Exclusion Criteria

Parents of children with diagnosed psychiatric disorders
Parents who previously attended similar educational programs

Data Collection Tools

Section A: Demographic variables of parents and children including age, education, occupation, family type, number of children, and child’s age.

Section B: Structured knowledge questionnaire assessing parental knowledge regarding behavioral problems and their management.

Section C: Behavioral problem checklist assessing aggression, hyperactivity, emotional problems, and social problems.

Intervention

The structured parent education program included the following topics:

Child growth and development
Common behavioral problems among children
Causes and risk factors of behavioral problems
Positive parenting techniques
Effective communication with children
Strategies for behavioral management
Importance of emotional support and discipline

Teaching methods included lecture, group discussion, demonstration, and distribution of educational pamphlets.

The duration of the session was approximately 45-60 minutes.

Data Collection Procedure

Permission was obtained from school authorities before conducting the study. Written informed consent was obtained from parents who were willing to participate. A pre-test was conducted in both experimental and control groups to assess parental knowledge and children's behavioral problems.

After the pre-test, the structured parent education program was administered to the experimental group. The control group did not receive the educational intervention. A post-test was conducted two weeks after the intervention to evaluate the effectiveness of the program.

Ethical Considerations

Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee prior to conducting the study. Permission was obtained from school authorities. Participants were informed about the purpose of the study and written consent was obtained. Confidentiality and anonymity of the participants were maintained.

Data Analysis

Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Descriptive statistics included frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation.

Inferential statistics included:

Paired t-test
Independent t-test
Chi-square test

Results

Demographic Characteristics

The majority of parents were aged between 30-40 years. Most participants had completed secondary education and belonged to nuclear families.

Knowledge Scores

The pre-test knowledge scores indicated that most parents had moderate knowledge regarding behavioral problems. After the educational intervention, the experimental group showed a significant improvement in knowledge scores compared to the control group.

Behavioral Problem Scores

Behavioral problem scores among children in the experimental group significantly decreased after the parent education program, whereas minimal change was observed in the control group.

Discussion

The findings of the study demonstrated that structured parent education programs significantly improve parental knowledge regarding behavioral problems and their management. Parents who received the educational intervention were better able to understand their children's behavior and apply effective management strategies.

The results are consistent with previous studies which have shown that parent training programs improve parenting practices and reduce behavioral problems among children. Parent education enhances parental awareness and promotes positive parenting strategies such as communication, emotional support, and consistent discipline.

The reduction in behavioral problems observed in this study highlights the importance of parental involvement in child mental health interventions. Parent education programs are effective and cost-efficient approaches for promoting healthy behavioral development among children.

Implications of The Study

Nursing Practice: Community health nurses can conduct parent education programs in schools and community settings to promote child mental health.

Nursing Education: Nursing students should be trained in child mental health promotion and parental counseling techniques.

Nursing Administration: Schools and healthcare institutions should organize regular parent education workshops to improve parenting practices.

Nursing Research: Further research can be conducted with larger sample sizes and long-term follow-up.

Limitations

The study was limited to selected schools and a relatively small sample size. The follow-up period was short, which may limit the assessment of long-term outcomes.

Recommendations

Similar studies can be conducted with larger sample sizes.
Long-term follow-up studies may be conducted to assess sustained behavioral improvements.
Parent education programs can be incorporated into school health services.
Comparative studies can be conducted in rural and urban settings.

Conclusion

The study concluded that structured parent education programs are effective in improving parental knowledge and reducing behavioral problems among school-age children. Integrating parent education into school and community health programs can promote healthy behavioral development and improve children's mental health outcomes.

References

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