Journal article : Review
The feasibility and acceptability of using a digital conversational agent (chatbot) for delivering parenting interventions: systematic review
- Abstract:
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Background: Parenting interventions are crucial for promoting family well-being, reducing violence against children, and improving child development outcomes; however, scaling these programs remains a challenge. Prior reviews have characterized the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of other more robust forms of digital parenting interventions (eg, via the web, mobile apps, and videoconferencing). Recently, chatbot technology has emerged as a possible mode for adapting and delivering parenting programs to larger populations (eg, Parenting for Lifelong Health, Incredible Years, and Triple P Parenting).
Objective: This study aims to review the evidence of using chatbots to deliver parenting interventions and assess the feasibility of implementation, acceptability of these interventions, and preliminary outcomes.
Methods: This review conducted a comprehensive search of databases, including Web of Science, MEDLINE, Scopus, ProQuest, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Review of Interventions and PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were used to conduct the search. Eligible studies targeted parents of children aged 0 to 18 years; used chatbots via digital platforms, such as the internet, mobile apps, or SMS text messaging; and targeted improving family well-being through parenting. Implementation measures, acceptability, and any reported preliminary measures of effectiveness were included.
Results: Of the 1766 initial results, 10 studies met the inclusion criteria. The included studies, primarily conducted in high-income countries (8/10, 80%), demonstrated a high mean retention rate (72.8%) and reported high acceptability (10/10, 100%). However, significant heterogeneity in interventions, measurement methods, and study quality necessitate cautious interpretation. Reporting bias, lack of clarity in the operationalization of engagement measures, and platform limitations were identified as limiting factors in interpreting findings.
Conclusions: This is the first study to review the implementation feasibility and acceptability of chatbots for delivering parenting programs. While preliminary evidence suggests that chatbots can be used to deliver parenting programs, further research, standardization of reporting, and scaling up of effectiveness testing are critical to harness the full benefits of chatbots for promoting family well-being.
- Publication status:
- Published
- Peer review status:
- Peer reviewed
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(Preview, Version of record, pdf, 681.4KB, Terms of use)
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- Publisher copy:
- 10.2196/55726
Authors
- Publisher:
- JMIR Publications
- Journal:
- JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting More from this journal
- Volume:
- 7
- Issue:
- 1
- Article number:
- e55726
- Publication date:
- 2024-10-07
- Acceptance date:
- 2024-08-19
- DOI:
- EISSN:
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2561-6722
- Language:
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English
- Keywords:
- Subtype:
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Review
- Pubs id:
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2024079
- Local pid:
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pubs:2024079
- Deposit date:
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2024-09-17
Terms of use
- Copyright holder:
- Klapow et al.
- Copyright date:
- 2024
- Rights statement:
- © Max C Klapow, Andrew Rosenblatt, Jamie Lachman, Frances Gardner. Originally published in JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting (https://pediatrics.jmir.org), 07.10.2024. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work, first published in JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting, is properly cited. The complete bibliographic information, a link to the original publication on https://pediatrics.jmir.org, as well as this copyright and license information must be included.
- Licence:
- CC Attribution (CC BY)
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