Evidence-based Parenting Interventions for Refugee Families and Parents with Multicultural Backgrounds

Europe has experienced substantial immigration in recent years. In Germany, for example, more than half of all asylumseeking families arriving after 2014 came from Syria and Iraq, many of them with young children. In response, several countries have developed preventive parenting interventions to support recently resettled refugee families during this challenging transition period.

Within the IMPROVE-MH project, Germany developed four GP-delivered modular CBT sessions targeting coping with depression, anxiety, stress, and worry. These were combined with the internationally implemented Positive Parenting Programme (Triple P) to strengthen parenting practices and support overall family well-being.

In Norway, the government made participation in parenting programmes mandatory for all refugee parents in 2021. As a result, group-based interventions such as the International Child Development Programme (ICDP) and the Incredible Years (IY) have been implemented nationwide within municipal refugee services (RS). These programmes aim to enhance parenting skills, support integration processes, and increase knowledge about parenting and available services. Both interventions have been recently evaluated in the PIRM study employing an RCT.

Another recent initiative is Confident Parents, Brave Children, an online guide for parents concerned about their children’s mental health. The guide addresses behavioural difficulties, anxiety, depression, and early school refusal across three age groups (3–7, 8–12, and 13–18 years). Using a decision-tree methodology, parents receive age-appropriate, tailored information and strategies based on their child’s specific needs. The guide is available in four languages.

In Denmark, the Invest In Play (iiP) programme was recently developed, integrating core components from evidence-based parenting programmes. It provides culturally adapted materials, an online curriculum, and a 12‑session structure designed to facilitate implementation across diverse cultural backgrounds. An initial effect evaluation is started in Norway.

Although the more established parenting programmes have been widely implemented and evaluated across multiple countries and contexts—generally showing positive effects—there is still limited evidence on their effectiveness specifically for immigrant and culturally diverse families. This symposium will present a range of parenting interventions, including recent evaluation findings relevant to these populations.