Evaluating a Short Parenting Programme for Low-Risk Families and High-Risk Families Referred Through Penal Mediation in Greece
1
Social Work, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Crete, Greece
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
In Greece, Law 3500/2006 introduced penal mediation as a restorative alternative for domestic violence–related misdemeanors, allowing high-risk parents to avoid penal consequences through mandatory parent training. Literature suggests that parenting programmes can strengthen parent–child communication, improve parenting skills, and reduce behavioural problems 1,2. However, little is known about whether short parenting programmes are equally effective for the general population and for families of elevated risk involved in penal mediation. This study examined pre-post changes in family functioning in both groups.
METHODS:
Thirty parents (18 low-risk – general population; 12 high-risk referred through penal mediation) completed the FACES-IV questionnaire before and after a 4-session parenting intervention delivered by the Social Work Department of the Hellenic Mediterranean University of Greece. Paired-samples t-tests assessed within-group pre–post changes, while independent-samples t-tests on change scores compared outcomes between groups.
RESULTS:
Across the overall sample, no statistically significant pre–post changes were detected for cohesion, flexibility, total functioning, family communication, or satisfaction (all p > .05). When analysed separately, high-risk parents showed positive mean improvements in cohesion, communication, satisfaction, and functioning, whereas low-risk parents showed small improvements primarily in communication and flexibility. Despite the lack of statistical significance, no differences emerged between low- and high-risk families in the magnitude of change, suggesting that the programme may be equally beneficial across risk levels. Descriptive decreases in cohesion and satisfaction among low-risk parents may reflect heightened self-awareness following the course.
CONCLUSIONS:
This preliminary evaluation suggests that short parenting programmes may benefit both low- and high-risk families, with promising trends among parents mandated through penal mediation. Despite limited statistical power, the findings support these programmes as constructive alternatives to punitive responses and development of cost-effective, integrated care pathways in public schools. Larger mixed-methods studies are needed to clarify mechanisms of change and effectiveness.
In Greece, Law 3500/2006 introduced penal mediation as a restorative alternative for domestic violence–related misdemeanors, allowing high-risk parents to avoid penal consequences through mandatory parent training. Literature suggests that parenting programmes can strengthen parent–child communication, improve parenting skills, and reduce behavioural problems 1,2. However, little is known about whether short parenting programmes are equally effective for the general population and for families of elevated risk involved in penal mediation. This study examined pre-post changes in family functioning in both groups.
METHODS:
Thirty parents (18 low-risk – general population; 12 high-risk referred through penal mediation) completed the FACES-IV questionnaire before and after a 4-session parenting intervention delivered by the Social Work Department of the Hellenic Mediterranean University of Greece. Paired-samples t-tests assessed within-group pre–post changes, while independent-samples t-tests on change scores compared outcomes between groups.
RESULTS:
Across the overall sample, no statistically significant pre–post changes were detected for cohesion, flexibility, total functioning, family communication, or satisfaction (all p > .05). When analysed separately, high-risk parents showed positive mean improvements in cohesion, communication, satisfaction, and functioning, whereas low-risk parents showed small improvements primarily in communication and flexibility. Despite the lack of statistical significance, no differences emerged between low- and high-risk families in the magnitude of change, suggesting that the programme may be equally beneficial across risk levels. Descriptive decreases in cohesion and satisfaction among low-risk parents may reflect heightened self-awareness following the course.
CONCLUSIONS:
This preliminary evaluation suggests that short parenting programmes may benefit both low- and high-risk families, with promising trends among parents mandated through penal mediation. Despite limited statistical power, the findings support these programmes as constructive alternatives to punitive responses and development of cost-effective, integrated care pathways in public schools. Larger mixed-methods studies are needed to clarify mechanisms of change and effectiveness.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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