Do cultural differences make a difference? Universal prevention and early intervention programs for parents

This paper describes research on a number of initiatives aimed at developing culturally appropriate parenting programs through an evidence based mental health program conducted in Western Sydney Area Health service, which provides services to a wide range of communities from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The Area Parenting Program has provided parent education courses to over 3000 parents based on the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) developed by Sanders (2003). Courses have been conducted in English, Arabic and Chinese and evaluated (Booth & Crisante, 2004; Crisante & Ng, 2003.) through standardised measures such as the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (Goodman, 2000). The paper will explore what evidence is useful and appropriate when working with culturally diverse communities in the context of methodological difficulties associated with such research. It will highlight some of the differences and similarities between parents of non-English speaking backgrounds who choose to attend a universal program conducted in English compared with those who choose to attend a course conducted by someone of their own cultural background. The paper will argue for a range of strategies varying in program type, location, format and sponsorship as essential to good practice.