Evaluation of Programmes under the Positive Parenting Initiative in Spain:Introduction to the Special Issue / La evaluación de programas bajo la iniciativa de la parentalidad positiva en España: introducción al número especial

The prevention science has endorsed standards for evidence related to research on programme evaluation. However, some controversies persist regarding its application in the provision of family support under the European Positive Parenting initiative. This Special Issue aims to map the expansion of preventive family support programmes in Spain and to contrast the quality of the evidence against the prevention standards according with the European Family Support Network. Members of the Spanish Family Support Network made up of entities in several sectors identified 57 programmes implemented in Spain and filled in a formative evaluation sheet for each programme. The articles in this issue analysed the results of four main aspects in all programmes: description, implementation, evaluation, and impact/sustainability. The findings will inform the scope and variety of support provided and the quality of programmes in Spain, providing guidelines for improvement and addressing challenges to reinforce quality assurance in child and family services.(AU)

La ciencia de la prevención avala los estándares de evidencia relativos a la investigación en evaluación de programas. Sin embargo, hay aún controversia en cuanto a su aplicación a la prestación de apoyo familiar bajo la iniciativa europea de la parentalidad positiva. El número especial tiene por objeto mapear la extensión de los programas preventivos de apoyo familiar en España y comparar la calidad de las pruebas con los estándares de prevención de la Red Europea de Apoyo Familiar. Los miembros de la Red Española de Apoyo Familiar, formada por entidades de varios sectores, han identificado 57 programas que se utilizan en España y cumplimentado una ficha de evaluación formativa para cada programa. Los artículos de este número analizan los resultados de cuatro aspectos principales de todos los programas: descripción, implementación, evaluación e impacto/sostenibilidad. Los resultados describen el panorama y variedad del apoyo brindado y la calidad de los programas en España, proporcionando orientación sobre mejora y abordando los desafíos para reforzar la garantía de calidad en los servicios para la infancia, adolescencia y familias.(AU)

Evidence-based Standards in the Design of Family Support Programmes in Spain / [Estándares basados en la evidencia en el diseño de programas de apoyo familiar en España

The positive parenting approach has highlighted the importance of supporting families to perform the functions associated with their parental role and to improve children’s well-being. The aims of this study were to identify and describe the characteristics of family support programmes in Spain, and to examine the extent to which they meet evidence-based standards for programme formulation. The sample includes 57 programmes identified by the Spanish Family Support Network, which belongs to the pan-European Family Support Network(EurofamNet) . Frequency analyses and contingency tables were carried out. The results show that the Spanish programmes meet several evidence-based standards for programme formulation (i.e., manualization). However, further efforts are required in some areas, such as universality and interdisciplinarity of family support programmes. The findings provide a platform from which to design new initiatives in accordance with standards for prevention programmes, and inform stakeholders and politicians in drawing up evidence-based public policies.(AU)

El enfoque de parentalidad positiva ha puesto de manifiesto la importancia de apoyar a las familias en el ejercicio de las funciones asociadas a su rol parental y para que aumenten el bienestar de los niños. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron identificar y describir las características de los programas de apoyo a la familia en España y examinar en qué medida cumplen con los estándares basados en la evidencia para la formulación de programas. La muestra incluye 57 programas identificados por la Red Española de Apoyo a la Familia, que pertenece a la Red Paneuropea de Apoyo a la Familia (EurofamNet). Se realizaron análisis de frecuencia y tablas de contingencia. Los resultados muestran que los programas españoles cumplen varios estándares basados en la evidencia para la formulación de programas (por ejemplo, que están manualizados). Sin embargo, es necesario realizar más esfuerzos en algunas áreas, como la universalidad y la interdisciplinariedad de los programas de apoyo familiar. Los resultados proporcionan una plataforma desde la que diseñar nuevas iniciativas de acuerdo con los estándares de los programas de prevención, y orientan a las partes interesadas y a los políticos en la elaboración de políticas públicas basadas en la evidencia.(AU)

Perceived Impact of the COVID-19 Lockdown on the Family Context of Foster and Non-Foster Families.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdown have had a far-reaching impact across all levels of society. In Spain, severe restrictions were placed on people's mobility, and leaving the home was only possible under special circumstances. This study analyzes the impact of lockdown on the family context of foster and non-foster families, focusing particularly on their levels of cohesion, adaptability, and perceived stress. It also examines a series of variables that may have influenced foster families' perceptions of their family context during lockdown. Data were gathered through an online survey that was completed by 347 individuals corresponding to 100 foster families and 247 non-foster families from different regions of Spain. Analyses were descriptive and exploratory in nature. The results appear to suggest that lockdown has had a greater impact on the family context of non-foster families. With respect to foster families' experiences of lockdown, variables such as loss of employment and having a child with special educational needs would seem to be important. For both types of families, lockdown has provided an opportunity to improve certain aspects of their family context. Given that further lockdowns of some degree may be necessary in the future, it is important to ensure that families have access to the psychoeducational resources they need to maintain, as far as possible, a positive family context.

Perceived stress, resources and adaptation in relation to the COVID-19 lockdown in Spanish foster and non-foster families.

The lockdown imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented stress on families. The family is a key system in relation to child development, and when birth families are unable to meet their child's needs, foster carers become an important source of support in their development. The Double ABC-X Model of family stress and adaptation considers that a family's capacity to cope with stressful situations is influenced by pile-up of stressors, family resources and perception of the situation. Following this model, the study aimed to determine the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on family stress and functioning. The sample comprised 347 Spanish adults (100 with foster families and 247 with non-foster families) who completed a survey during lockdown. The results showed that certain sociodemographic variables (gender, income, working from home, characteristics of the home and children with special educational needs) were associated with stressors during lockdown, perception of the lockdown, and family adaptation to stress during lockdown. Associations were also found between stressors, family resources, perception of lockdown, and family adaptation in foster and non-foster families, with the former having a more positive perception of the lockdown experience. The relevance of the results and their implications are discussed.

Behavioral problems in adolescents raised by their grandparents.

This research analyzes, for the first time using a Spanish sample, the behavioral problems of adolescents in the custody of their grandparents. The sample consisted of 68 adolescents (31 boys and 37 girls, with a mean age of 13.7 years) in the custody of 54 grandparents with an average age of 65.9 years for the grandfathers, and 63.6 years for the grandmothers. The instrument employed was the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL; Achenbach, 2001). The results indicate that the majority of both boys and girls can be classified within the normal range on scales of internal behavior, external behavior and total behavioral problems. When gender and age differences were analyzed, it was found that boys had more behavioral problems than girls on scales of incompliance with rules and external behavior. Meanwhile, it was shown that older adolescents had more somatic problems, as well as more behavioral problems, as measured by both the internal scale and total scale of the CBCL, than the younger participants.