Research recognised
helping problem kids
Research centred on improving support for
Tauranga families struggling with difficult children
has been recognised by both the Bay of Plenty
District Health Board and the Paediatric Society.
Tauranga Clinical Psychologist Dianne Lees received the New
Investigator award at the society’s Annual Scientific meeting
recently as well as receiving the top prize at the DHB’s Clinical
Research Awards.
Dianne’s research focused on extra home support provided to
struggling families participating in the Incredible Years® parenting
(IYP) programme.
“I’ve been delivering the Incredible Years® programme to parents
for 15 years. For most it’s highly effective but there are some
families that don’t respond as well and this concerned me – they’re
the most vulnerable who need extra support.”
So when the Ministry of Health chose Tauranga as one of three
sites in the country to trial new interventions to better reach the
most vulnerable families attending the Incredible Years® parent
programme, Dianne developed a home-based intervention to add
to the mix.
in their home and set small achievable weekly goals, and to use
the IYP strategies effectively for their children helps parents feel
supported and empowers them to make a positive change.”
Dianne says the home visits also allow therapists to see firsthand how family dynamics play out, which can have an impact
on a child’s behaviour. “The Therapist can also pick up on other
stressors like financial issues which may not always be revealed
outside the home.”
Dianne’s research showed those who received additional home
support while attending IYP had less behavioural issues with their
children six months after the programme finished, compared to
those who did not. “We know the best way to improve a child’s
behaviour and reduce the likelihood of them progressing to crime
in later life, is to intervene in their early years.
“Providing home support while parents are on the IYP has
potential to reduce antisocial behaviourand teen crime which is
good for the family and community as a whole,” says Dianne Lees.
Dianne’s research has been presented to the Ministry of Health for
consideration for future policy decisions.
If you’d like support from the Incredible Years® programme
Freephone: 0800 486 947.
“Often parents struggling with difficult behaviours feel a sense
of shame, blamed and failure. Having a therapist visit the family
Tauranga Clinical Psychologist Dianne Lees.
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