Abstract
BACKGROUND This article is a knowledge summary and classification of the Tuning in to Kids (TIK) parenting programme aimed at all parents of children aged 0–12 years. The programme focuses on the emotional connection between parents and children, with the aim of helping parents become more aware of their own emotions, develop the ability to manage them, and acquire new skills through an emotion-coaching parenting style. The programme is delivered as six group sessions (each lasting 2 hours) with 6–10 parent pairs per group. The parenting programme was developed by Professor Sophie Havighurst and Ann Harley at the University of Melbourne, Australia. Tuning in to Kids is owned by the University of Melbourne, represented by Sophie Havighurst and Ann Harley. The programme owner and those responsible for implementation in Norway is Tuning in to Kids Europe. METHOD This review is based on systematic literature searches in national and international knowledge databases such as EMBASE, MEDLINE, and PSYCHINFO, COCHRANE, ALMA, NORA, SWEMED+, Google Scholar, InSum, COCHRANE, Campbell, Helsebibloteket, NICE, Blueprint, CEBC, Vidensportalen, Metodeguiden, CINAHL, and EIF evidence standards. Information about the program was also obtained from the program owner. Literature searches and additional information were examined to identify Nordic effectiveness studies, international review studies, and any other Norwegian studies of the program. RESULTS The results consist of an assessment of the programme’s description, available effectiveness studies, research methodological quality, and implementation quality. The main aim and theoretical rationale of TIK are well described through the programme manual, and the programme has a defined structure for implementation. The evaluation of the TIK parenting programme includes two Norwegian studies, with results currently published in three publications. The first study was conducted using a quasi-experimental design with a waitlist control group, with data collected before and after the intervention. The methodological quality is satisfactory in the first study; however, questions are raised about the validity of the results due to a limited sample size and self-selection into the study. The second study was conducted as a cluster-randomised controlled trial (RCT) with a waitlist control group, with data collected before and after the intervention. The second study has good methodological quality. CONCLUSION The main findings from the included studies suggest that parents who participated in the programme experienced an increase in their emotion socialisation practices towards their children, as well as a reduction in children’s behavioural problems. Parents also reported that their child’s problem behaviour was easier to manage after participation in the programme. Tuning in to Kids (TIK) is classified at evidence level 4 - Intervention with satisfactory documented effect.