Do you need evidence of effectiveness to back up your grant proposal? Many Active Parenting programs have been selected for study by academics and other professionals. The results of those studies are available here.
Over 35 Years of Evidence: Active Parenting Works!
Research Categorized by Program
Because of the similarities among Active Parenting programs—they are derived from the same original program (The Active Parenting Discussion Program, Popkin, 1983), use the same theoretical model, teach similar parenting skills, include specific tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs (TAOD), sexuality, violence, bullying, and school success information and skill training, and use a multi-session video-based delivery system—research results showing evidence of effectiveness with one of the programs lends support for the other programs as well.
Click on a program name to see the research available for that program, or scroll down to see all research.
- Active Parenting: First Five Years and Paternidad Activa: Primero Cinco Anos
- Active Parenting 4th Edition and Paternidad Activa 4a edicion
- Active Parenting of Teens and Paternidad Activa de Adolescentes
- Active Parenting of Teens: Families in Action
- Cooperative Parenting and Divorce and Padres Cooperando en Media de un Divorcio
- Active Parenting for Stepfamilies (see results for Active Parenting 4th Edition)
- Christian Active Parenting (see results for Active Parenting 4th Edition)
Research published in peer-reviewed journals:
- The results of the Active Parenting: First Five Years national research study have been accepted for publication in the peer-reviewed journal Child & Youth Care Forum
Jespersen, J. E., Morris, A. S., Hubbs-Tait, L., & Washburn, I. J. (2021). Evaluation of a parent education program emphasizing responsive parenting and mindfulness: An inclusive randomized controlled trial. Child & Youth Care Forum, (), 1-25. doi: 10.1007/s10566-021-09597-2
Listed on third-party websites of evidence-based programs:
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Head Start/ECLKC (Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center) Parenting Curriculum Research Database: Active Parenting: First Five Years is listed as a research-based curriculum and ranks in the lowest cost tier among parenting programs for the curriculum, materials, and training.
- The acceptance of the First Five Years national research study for publication in a peer-reviewed journal qualifies it for inclusion on registries such as the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse and others. Updates to follow.
Other research and support documents:
Research published in peer-reviewed journals:
- Foley, Y., Popkin, M., Mullis, F., Cooper, P. (2019). Active Parenting Now and Active Parenting of Teens: An Evaluation of Two Neo-Adlerian Parenting Programs. The Journal of Individual Psychology, University of Texas Press, Volume 75, Number 4, winter 2019.
- Fashimpar, G. A. (2000). Problems of parenting: Solutions of science. Journal of Family Social Work,5(2), 67–80.
- Mullis, F. and Chen, M. (1999) Active Parenting: An Evaluation of Two Adlerian Parent Education Programs. Journal of Individual Psychology, Vol 55 #2, Summer 1999.
Listed on third-party websites of evidence-based programs:
California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC)- Listed in the National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP) from 2008-2017 (until this registry was discontinued by a new administration). Click for the report.
Other research and support documents:
- Active Parenting final program evaluation report
- Obesity prevention in preschool Native-American children
- Effects of the Active Parenting program on children’s interpersonal behavior as observed in a playroom setting
- A descriptive study of parenting styles and behaviors of 4-year-old children when parents participate in a parenting education program
- Effects of the Active Parenting program on attitudinal change of parents, parent-perceived behavioral change of children, and parent-perceived change in family environment
- Implementing the Active Parenting program in the Baltimore County Public Schools: A final report
- Excerpts from the evaluation results of the state of Washington broadcast of the Active Parenting program
- An evaluation of three parent training programs
- Reaching our human potential in Montana: An overview of building human capital through Montana State University and Active Parenting
- Active Parenting: A video-based program
- The impact of the Active Parenting program on the moral development and parenting skills of parents
- A case study on the effect of an Adlerian parent education program on parental attitudes and child-rearing techniques
- Evaluation of an Adlerian parent training program with multiple outcome measures
Research published in peer-reviewed journals:
- Foley, Y., Popkin, M., Mullis, F., Cooper, P. (2019). Active Parenting Now and Active Parenting of Teens: An Evaluation of Two Neo-Adlerian Parenting Programs: The Journal of Individual Psychology, University of Texas Press, Volume 75, Number 4, winter 2019.
- Mullis, F. and Chen, M. (1999) Active Parenting: An Evaluation of Two Adlerian Parent Education Programs. Journal of Individual Psychology, Vol 55 #2, Summer 1999.
Listed on third-party websites of evidence-based programs:
- California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC)
- Listed in the National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP) from 2008-2017 (when this registry was discontinued by a new administration). Click for the report.
Other research and support documents:
See Active Parenting 4th Edition, as many of these studies and evaluations included Active Parenting of Teens as well.
Research published in peer-reviewed journals:
- Abbey, A., Pilgrim, C., Hendrickson, P., Lorenz, S. (1998). Implementation and Impact of a Family-Based Substance Abuse Prevention Program in Rural Communities – The Journal of Primary Prevention
- Abbey, A., Pilgrim, C., Hendrickson, P., and Buresh, S. (2000). Evaluation of a Family-Based Substance Abuse Prevention Program Targeted for the Middle School Years – The Journal of Drug Education
Listed on third-party websites of evidence-based programs:
- California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC)
- Listed in the National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP) from 2008-2017 (until this registry was discontinued by a new administration). Click for the report.
- Listed in the OJJDP’s Model Programs Guide (MPG)
- Listed in the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s Model Programs Guide (MPG). Click here for details.
- Listed in CrimeSolutions.gov Click here for details.
Other research and support documents:
- Quality Assurance Protocol available for your program
The Quality Assurance Protocol is a 40-page document containing the same instructions and handouts used when doing research on the Families in Action program. If you need to do research, or to run your program in strict compliance with the protocol, this packet is for you. Click here to download.
Research published in peer-reviewed journals:
- Whitehurst, D. , O’Keefe, S. , Wilson, R. (2008). Divorced/Separated Parents in Conflict: Results from a True Experiment Effect of a Court Mandated Parent Education Program. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage. Volume 48, Issues 3 & 4, pages 127-144 (2008).
Other research and support documents:
- Borden, K. , Hodges, K. , and Tremblay, G. (2003). Increasing Cooperation between Divorced Parents: A Program Evaluation. Antioch New England Graduate School.
