APA PsycArticles: Journal Article

Online child–parent relationship therapy in Hong Kong during COVID-19: Results of a pilot study.

Chau, I., & Baggerly, J. (2024). Online child–parent relationship therapy in Hong Kong during COVID-19: Results of a pilot study. International Journal of Play Therapy, 33(1), 12–23. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000210

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'Beginning in the year 2020, Hong Kong schools and playgrounds closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic so parents stayed at home with their children every day. The resulting stress increased parent–child tensions and children’s behavior problems. Parents needed innovative methods to enhance their relationships with their children. In this quantitative and qualitative pilot research study, 16 Hong Kong play therapists provided an online version of Child–Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) to 158 Hong Kong parents with low income who had children ages 6–8 years. Paired-samples t tests showed a statistically significant increase with medium effect size in parents’ Portal Parental Acceptance Scale total score and subscales for Respect for the Child’s Feelings and Need for Independence and Autonomy, but not subscales for Appreciation of the Child’s Uniqueness and Unconditional Love. Quantitative survey results indicate that participants perceived CPRT as helpful to their parenting skills and their children’s behavior. Qualitative survey results show participants believed CPRT had numerous other benefits. The authors discuss results and implications.' (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)