The impact of RISE Up! in promoting positive parenting and safety behaviors of parents with young children

The objective of this study was to examine the extent to which a brief tailored parenting program administered in a pediatric clinic can change high-risk parenting behaviors. Parents with a child five years old or younger presenting to a University-based primary care pediatric clinic in a large Midwestern children's hospital were invited to participate in the study. Parents completed RISE UP!, which included an assessment completed on a tablet computer and then received a tailored, printed report that provided recommendations to address the personal high-risk parenting practices identified by the assessment. A follow-up assessment was completed with 125 parents (58%) about six weeks after the pediatric visit. Overall, 75% of parents reported trying at least one of the recommendations included in the report. Analysis of parenting risk indicated that 53% of parents had different highest parenting risk areas after RISE Up! and 33% of identified parenting risk scores decreased after RISE Up! Of the 231 priority unintentional injury risk behaviors identified, 34% were reported as non-risk behaviors at follow-up. Race and education were significantly associated with program effects in bivariate analysis; program effects were also correlated with communication mediators in a strong dose-response relationship. Reducing both child abuse and neglect and pediatric unintentional injuries are global priorities. Several childhood injury prevention frameworks and evidence-based policy recommendations highlight shared etiologies and opportunities for intervention. RISE Up! shows promise for universal prevention to promote the adoption of parenting practices to reduce injury risk and positive parenting behaviors.