The Impact of Message Content and Format on Initial Parental Engagement in a Parenting Intervention: An Experimental Study

Abstract

Abstract Background Engagement strategies are commonly used to enhance parents’ involvement in parenting interventions. However, few strategies have been evaluated to determine their effectiveness at increasing initial engagement. This study tested the effectiveness of message content (benefits vs. costs) and format (video vs. written) of engagement strategies on the initial engagement (i.e., recruitment, enrolment, and first attendance) of parents to parenting interventions. Methods Participants were 692 parents of children aged 2 to 12 years old. Parents were randomly allocated to one of four experimental conditions, which tested the combination of message (benefits vs. costs) and format (video vs. written). Recruitment, enrolment, and first attendance were measured as part of parent’s initial engagement to a self-directed parenting intervention. Results Neither message content nor format had an effect on recruitment, enrolment, or first attendance. However, parents who saw the costs content were significantly more likely to review the intervention workbook compared to parents who saw the message about the benefits of the intervention. Conclusions Brief testimonials have the potential to early engage parents when the message is positive, independently of its format. Future research should further explore the effects of different messages as well as other engagement strategies used to engage parents. Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12618001282279, prospectively registered 30/07/2018.