A web-based mental health program: reaching parents at work.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of the project was to test a web-based program providing working parents with the knowledge and skills necessary for prevention and early intervention of mental health problems in youth. METHOD Study sample consisted of 99 parents who were randomized into either an experimental (program use) or waitlist control condition. Analysis of covariance and paired t-tests were used to compare response outcomes for the two groups. RESULTS Parents receiving the intervention had greater knowledge of youth mental health issues and greater self-efficacy in handling these issues compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that referring parents to a multimedia web-based program can improve parents' knowledge of children's' mental health and their confidence in addressing mental health issues. Web-based programs can be offered to individuals in multiple settings, including the workplace, thereby reaching large numbers of parents.