Supporting positive parenting practices within a community-based music therapy group program: Pilot study findings.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits of a short-term, community-based music therapy group program on positive parenting practices. Parent-child dyads receiving early intervention family services (N = 199) participated in 8 weekly, 45-60 minute, music-based group play sessions. We analyzed pre-post parent self-reports that measured parenting competency and clinician-observed ratings of parental responsiveness that evaluated behavioral domains of play, praise, and consistency. Significant results were found for parent-reported efficacy (p = 0.008, d = 0.21) and satisfaction (p = 0.004, d = 0.19) but not for interest (p = 0.149, d = 0.12). Significant results were found for clinician-rated observations of parental responsiveness, including play (p < 0.001), praise (p < 0.001), and consistency (p < 0.001). Short-term, music-based parenting programs may be an effective way to improve parents' sense of competency and foster greater parental responsiveness for those receiving family services.