Children in low-income urban families face elevated risks for mental health difficulties, yet culturally relevant, evidence-based parenting interventions for this population in China are scarce. This study developed and piloted a parent-based intervention using a multi-phased mixed-methods design. First, a three-round Delphi survey with 30 experts was adopted to select and refine key components which were identified through a preliminary systematic review. A consensus threshold of 70% agreement was predefined. Eight key components were selected with a final agreement rate of 96.30% and strong between-round ranking consistency (r = 0.85). Second, a single-arm pilot study with nine families (children aged 7–9) evaluated the feasibility and preliminary outcomes of a manualized intervention resulting from the first-phase Delphi method. This 8-week intervention comprised eight 90-minute group sessions, each structured around one of the components selected by expert consensus. Quantitative measures (e.g., program evaluation form, Child Adjustment and Parent Efficacy Scale, Multidimensional Assessment of Parenting Scale) and qualitative data from interviews were collected pre-, post-, and three months post-intervention. The intervention was highly rated for satisfaction, usefulness, acceptability, and feasibility. Preliminary improvements were observed in children’s behavioral problems, positive parenting, parental efficacy, and parent-child relationships, at both post-intervention and three-month follow-up. Qualitative findings supported and enriched these results. The findings indicate the intervention is feasible and beneficial for children’s mental health in urban low-income families, supporting the rationale for a larger-scale efficacy trial.

Authors:
Lu Yu, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Yaoxiang Ren, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Xixi Li, East China Normal University, China
Daniel T. L. Shek, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong

About the Presenter(s)
Ms. REN Yaoxiang is currently a PhD candidate in the Department of Applied Social Sciences at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Her research interests include child and adolescent mental health, parenting, and family interventions.

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