Evaluation of Eltern-Aktiv – a Parenting Program for Refugee Families in Germany

In addition to their own acculturation efforts, refugee parents must shape educational and upbringing processes for their children. This may be challenging, especially for parents with traumatic refugee experiences. To support refugee parents, the program Eltern-Aktiv was developed. To evaluate Eltern-Aktiv, we used a mixed-method approach, namely a standardized questionnaire-based interview with refugee parents before (N = 39) and after (N = 21) the program and qualitative interviews with N = 5 trainers of the program. Results indicated the effectiveness of the program in terms of increased positive parenting behaviors (i.e., positive conflict behavior, support, and structuring). However, we found no significant effect of the program regarding attitudes, namely the awareness of norms and values in parenting, parenting efficacy, acculturation orientation and fears regarding cultural differences. Implications of our findings are discussed as well as the question of how to access the vulnerable group of refugee families.

Preprint for: Nieder, C., Müller-Butzkamm, G. & Kärtner, J, (2022). Evaluation of Eltern Aktiv – a parenting program for refugee families in Germany. Submitted for publication.