The effectiveness and feasibility of the new Forest parenting programme for Chinese children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and their families

BACKGROUND: The New Forest Parenting Programme (NFPP) is a therapist-delivered parent training intervention aimed at improving behavioral difficulties in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by promoting positive parenting practices. Although NFPP has shown effectiveness in several Western countries, evidence regarding its feasibility and effectiveness in the Chinese context remains limited. This study aims to evaluate its feasibility and effectiveness in China. METHODS: Thirty Chinese children with ADHD and their families were enrolled and sequentially allocated to the NFPP intervention group (n = 15) or control group (n = 15). Parent-report measures, including the Chinese Version of Swanson Nolan and Pelham, Version IV Scale-parent Form (SNAP-IV), Chinese Parenting Sense of Competence (C-PSOC), and Parenting Styles Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ), were used to assess quantitative outcomes and analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Finally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the intervention group after completing the NFPP, and the qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Based on parent-report, compared with the control group, the intervention group showed significant reductions in inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, and oppositional defiant scores after the NFPP intervention. Parents reported increased parenting efficacy and satisfaction, along with increased use of an authoritative parenting style. The qualitative analysis offered insights into driving factors of NFPP's effectiveness, participant motivation, adherence barriers, limitations, and acceptability. CONCLUSIONS: This non-randomized controlled trial suggests that NFPP is effective and feasible for Chinese children with ADHD and their families. Further validation in larger-scale randomized controlled trials is warranted.