Reducing Parental Conflict programme 2018 to 2022: diary research with parents accessing interventions
This report illustrates the findings of longitudinal research conducted by the DWP’s In-House Research Unit (IHRU) of parents who participated in 7 interventions tested under the 2018 to 22 Reducing Parental Conflict (RPC) programme.
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
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Summary
This report illustrates the findings of longitudinal research conducted by the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP’s) In-House Research Unit (IHRU) of parents who participated in 7 interventions tested under the 2018 to 2022 Reducing Parental Conflict (RPC) programme.
Research background
After introducing the programme in 2017, the DWP commissioned this research in 2021 to explore parent’s experiences of the interventions through their uploads via a diary application (app) installed on their smartphone.
The aim of this research was to provide insight into how parents with a range of characteristics and circumstances engaged with these interventions and how participation affected family life, at different stages, throughout participation.
Uploads provided by parents provided an insight into daily activities as well as how interventions were received with outcomes including a reduction in levels of interparental conflict and improvements to children’s wellbeing.
Contribution to the evidence base
The evidence base of existing publications linked to the diary research include the following:
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“Reducing Parental Conflict programme evaluation: third report on implementation” – this report provided interim findings from research mostly conducted between January and December 2021
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“Reducing Parental Conflict programme evaluation: final report on implementation” – this report focused on several quantitative surveys with parents and qualitative research with parents and local authorities conducted in 2022. Its purpose was to build on evidence previously gathered to further correspond with the core components of intervention delivery, training and local integration to understand parents’ and practitioners’ experiences of specialist interventions
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“Reducing Parental Conflict programme evaluation: an evaluation of the effects of specialist interventions on parental relationships and children” – this report provided findings from a quantitative study which evaluated the efficacy of seven tested interventions, focusing on how they improved both interparental relationships and children’s wellbeing
Learning from the Reducing Parental Conflict Challenge Fund, which was designed to grant fund 10 innovative projects to further build the evidence base on what works to reduce parental conflict within disadvantaged families using digital support and specialist support for particular family subgroups.
A literature review on the relationship between substance abuse and parental conflict documented the complexity of issues contributing to family stress.
The Local Family Officer pilots, which provided evidence on local authorities’ experiences of promoting family stability and relationship quality through the Local Family Offer.
Research value
The use of a diary-style app was extremely beneficial in this context. Participants were able to choose when to respond to tasks and prompts, helping analysts to better understand how and why the views of participants changed, providing invaluable insights into parental experiences of RPC interventions and paving the way for future use of diary-based apps for research.
Findings will be valuable to Local Authorities when planning for future implementation of interventions within their area, as well as for central government so learning can shape future policy in this space. It will also be valuable to organisations working with, or on behalf of, families.
Related content
Reducing Parental Conflict programme and resources
Reducing Parental Conflict programme: evaluation
Reducing Parental Conflict programme evaluation: third report on implementation
Reducing Parental Conflict programme evaluation: second report on implementation
Reducing Parental Conflict programme evaluation: report on early implementation
Reducing Parental Conflict Challenge Fund: learning from the second phase of delivery
Last updated 19 September 2023 + show all updates
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Added HTML version of 'Reducing Parental Conflict programme 2018 to 2022: diary research with parents accessing interventions'.
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Updated 'Reducing Parental Conflict programme 2018 to 2022: diary research with parents accessing interventions'.
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First published.