Internet-delivered parent training (Parent Web)
cognitive behavior
The Parent Web is an internet-delivered parent training program consisting of five main modules: an introductory and goal-setting module and four working modules targeting: 1) Increasing the time spent with your adolescent, 2) Listening to and validating your adolescent, 3) Choosing your battles and using problem solving techniques, and 4) Balancing your adolescent’s need for independence while still being responsible for her/his well-being. Additionally, there are six optional bonus modules about concerns parents might have (youth psychological ill-health, household responsibilities, school-related problems, friends and bullying, internet and Internet-based games, alcohol, and drugs). The delivery of the bonus sections is based on specific family need and preferences. The modules are ordered such that the priority is to facilitate a trusting and caring parent-adolescent relationship. In later modules, skills for improved handling of conflicts and adolescent independent behaviors are introduced. Each module encloses facts in written text, illustrations, movie clips with interviews, lectures, or role-played parent-adolescent conflict/modeled situations and includes exercises and homework expected to take about 1 hour to complete. Bonus sections are shorter and focus on information and strategies for handling specifically challenging situations. Each parent is assigned a “family guide” who communicates through the web-portal and provides reminders about working through the modules, short feedback on homework/exercises, and answers questions posed by parents weekly. Parents are required to be active by for example answering questions, reflecting on information/video-clips, and completing homework to access the next module. The program takes on average 6–7 weeks to complete depending on the time needed for each module and the number of bonus sections completed. The program is based on social learning- and developmental theory and the parenting skills provided are in line with those learned in cognitive behavior therapy parent training programs.