Does self-directed and web-based support for parents enhance the effects of viewing a reality television series based on the Triple P – Positive Parenting Programme? Matthew Sanders, 1 Rachel Calam, 2 Marianne Durand, 2 Tom Liversidge, 2 and Sue Ann Carmont 1 1 The University of Queensland, Australia; 2 The University of Manchester, UK Background: This study investigated whether providing self-directed and web-based support for parents enhanced the effects of viewing a reality television series based on the Triple P – Positive Parenting Programme. Method: Parents with a child aged 2 to 9 (N = 454) were randomly assigned to either a standard or enhanced intervention condition. In the standard television alone viewing condi- tion, parents watched the six-episode weekly television series, ‘Driving Mum and Dad Mad’. Parents in the enhanced television viewing condition received a self-help workbook, extra web support involving downloadable parenting tip sheets, audio and video streaming of positive parenting messages and email support, in addition to viewing the television series. Results: Parents in both conditions reported significant improvements in their child’s disruptive behaviour and improvements in dysfunctional parenting practices. Effects were greater for the enhanced condition as seen on the ECBI, two of the three parenting indicators and overall programme satisfaction. However, no significant differences were seen on other measures, including parent affect indicators. The level of improvement was related to number of episodes watched, with greatest changes occurring in families who watched each episode. Improvements achieved at post-intervention by parents in both groups were maintained at six-month follow-up. Online tip sheets were frequently accessed; uptake of web-based resources was highest early in the series. Conclusions: The value of combining self-help approaches, technology and media as part of a comprehensive public health approach to providing parenting support is discussed. Keywords: Parent training, conduct problems, media intervention, prevention. Abbrevia- tions: DASS: Depression Anxiety Stress Scale; ECBI: Eyberg Child Behaviour Inventory; PAI: Parental Anger Inventory; PPC: Parent Problem Checklist; PS: Parenting Scale; RQI: Relationship Quality Index. Parenting programmes are one of the most power- ful and cost-effective interventions available to assist young children at risk of developing conduct problems (Lundahl, Risser, & Lovejoy, 2006; McMahon, 1999; Prinz & Dumas, 2004; Taylor & Biglan, 1998; Reyno & McGrath, 2006, Sanders, 1999). Despite the demonstrated efficacy of pro- grammes, relatively few parents who might benefit complete them and children continue to develop potentially preventable behavioural and emotional problems (Sanders, 1999). Concern about the lim- ited reach of parenting programmes has prompted the development of a public health approach to providing parenting support to improve participa- tion rates of families and increase population-level impact of parenting interventions. Only a small number of studies, however, specifically examine the impact of parenting programmes as a public health approach to parenting support (e.g., Sanders, 1999; Zubrick et al., 2005). One means of increasing parents’ exposure to evidence-based parenting programmes is to use the mass media to deliver parenting messages. The Triple P – Positive Parenting Programme (Sanders, 1999) exemplifies a parenting support system that uses the media as an integral part of a tiered continuum of parenting interventions within a public health perspective. Universal Triple P, the first of five levels of the system, involves the development of media and communication strat- egies to promote positive messages about raising children. The mass media has several potential advant- ages. It represents an efficient and cost-effective format for providing information to large numbers of parents. A media strategy can form part of a system of parenting interventions designed to complement more intensive individual and group interventions, and it can extend the reach of parenting programmes to those who might not otherwise be reached. Television remains the prim- ary source of mass media for most families. The pervasive reach of television and its sub- Conflict of interest statement: No conflicts declared. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 49:9 (2008), pp 924–932 doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2008.01901.x Ó 2008 The Authors Journal compilation Ó 2008 Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health. Published by Blackwell Publishing, 9600 Garsington Road, Oxford OX4 2DQ, UK and 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148, USA