Online-Training for parents: "Coping with stress in the family"

Web-based Project

The online-training "coping with stress in the family" is an internet-based training for parents. The training provides knowledge about ways of coping with stress at the individual level and the level of family. Possible causes of stress and an adaptive way of coping with it were explained and, where possible, trained. Furthermore, communication skills (like empathy) and problem-solving strategies were introduced, which both should help to solve conflicts more peacefully.

In May and June of 2003 the online Training took place the first time in form of an online seminar. Around 250 people were registered in the trainings. They could use a chat, a discussion forum or a virtual pin wall to communicate directly or indirectly with each other. Participants could visit the training all around the clock and form any place they liked to.

To evaluate outcome effects of the online training,  participants were invited before and after the training and again six month later to participate in the evaluation study. They were asked about the current level of stress and coping styles, about the individual wellbeing and the wellbeing in family and about communication skills. Turing training each part of it was evaluated separately. Results indicate positive short- and long-term effects (Hänggi, in press).

The website and further information can be found at www.elterntraining.ch.

References
Hänggi, Y. (2006). Kann web-basierte Stressprävention erfolgreich sein? Erfahrungen mit dem Online-Elterntraining gegen Familienstress. Zeitschrift für Klinische Psychologie.

Conducted by
Dr. Yves Hänggi, supervised by Prof. Meinrad Perrez

Financing
Further development (redesign and translation): Lehrstuhl Klinische Psychologie, Stiftung für Gesundheitsförderung, Universität Fribourg, BFS, Migros Kulturprozent..