Enhancing Parent–Child Interaction and Self-Efficacy in Motor Skills Development for Young Children with Developmental Delays

TL;DR

An 8-week home program improved children's motor goals and parents' confidence, but did not change parent-child interactions.

Contribution

The study demonstrates that parent involvement in goal-setting enhances child outcomes and parental self-efficacy in developmental interventions.

Findings

Children in the intervention group showed significant improvements in Goal Attainment Scale scores.

Parents demonstrated increased competence and confidence in parenting after the program.

No significant changes were observed in parent-child interaction quality.

Abstract

What are the main findings?
Child goal achievement and parental outcomes improved: After the 8-week home program, children showed significant improvements in Goal Attainment Scale (GAS) scores, indicating successful achievement of targeted goals, while parents demonstrated significant gains in parenting competence, confidence, and overall parental self-efficacy.Parent–child interaction did not significantly change: No significant improvement was found in parent–child interaction.

Child goal achievement and parental outcomes improved: After the 8-week home program, children showed significant improvements in Goal Attainment Scale (GAS) scores, indicating successful achievement of targeted goals, while parents demonstrated significant gains in parenting competence, confidence, and overall parental self-efficacy.

Parent–child interaction did not significantly change: No significant improvement was found in parent–child interaction.

What is the implication of the main finding?
Strengthen family-centered, goal-focused home programs: Clinicians should actively involve parents in goal setting using tools such as the GAS and collaborate with families to design home programs that are feasible, motivating, and integrated into daily routines, as parental participation meaningfully supports children’s developmental goal achievement.Build parental self-efficacy through coaching and partnership: Professionals should prioritize parent coaching, motivational strategies, and ongoing communication to enhance parents’ confidence and competence in guiding their children, as increased parental self-efficacy can improve adherence to home programs and ultimately enhance therapeutic outcomes.

Strengthen family-centered, goal-focused home programs: Clinicians should actively involve parents in goal setting using tools such as the GAS and collaborate with families to design home programs that are feasible, motivating, and integrated into daily routines, as parental participation meaningfully supports children’s developmental goal achievement.

Build parental self-efficacy through coaching and partnership: Professionals should prioritize parent coaching, motivational strategies, and ongoing communication to enhance parents’ confidence and competence in guiding their children, as increased parental self-efficacy can improve adherence to home programs and ultimately enhance therapeutic outcomes.

Background/Objectives: The present study investigated the effects of parental participation in home program intervention on parent–child interactions, parental self-efficacy, and the goal attainment of children with developmental delays in motor skills. Methods: While the interviews consisted of qualitative data, quantitative analyses were applied to the results, making this a mixed-methods study. Participants were 2–6-year-old young children and their families. Twenty-three parent–child dyads were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 13) or a comparison group (n = 10). Outcomes were evaluated using the Parent–Child Interaction Questionnaire and Parental Self-Efficacy Questionnaire. Results: Improvements in parental self-efficacy and in the Goal Attainment Scale scores of the children were evident in the posttest, whereas no evidence of differences in improvement was found in parent–child interactions between the intervention and comparison groups on the pretest and posttest. Conclusions: Parent collaboration with therapists has a significant impact on achieving functional goals for young children, and parental involvement in intervention programs effectively enhances parental self-efficacy.

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