2.2. Participants’ Recruitment
learning disabilities
Study participants were recruited from a population that used a community-based university-led mobile unit in charge of evaluating children for learning disabilities across the Crete Region of Greece. This unit is unique in Greece and is accessible through the Social Services Departments of the local municipalities. Individuals interested in having their children evaluated may apply for the service on a voluntary basis without charge. Those eligible to participate in the current study were those that fulfilled the following criteria: (a) parents of children in the 3rd to 6th grade, (b) children with an Sp.L.D. diagnosis, (c) residents of the Crete region, (d) competency in the Greek language and (e) availability and willingness to participate in the study. In total, 71 individuals fulfilled the inclusion criteria out of the 158 evaluated by the mobile unit. Two independent researchers performed the eligibility check. The participants were randomly allocated to the intervention and control group. Randomization was performed via a computer-generated list of random numbers. The list was then re-sorted to its original order. Randomization was conducted by two researchers, who were neither involved in the eligibility check nor performed data collection. Out of the 71 individuals that were eligible for randomization, 42 were allocated to the intervention group (to receive the 6 week parenting program), and 29 to the control group (to receive no intervention/be added to wait list for the intervention). Upon allocation to the groups, three individuals dropped from the intervention group and 20 from the control group, primarily due to limited availability, health problems and change of residence (see Prior to participation, individuals were requested written consent be provided upon being offered information on the study aim and procedures and upon receiving guarantees about confidentiality, protection of their personal data and the right to withdraw at any time during the intervention.