Active Parenting of Teens™

Mental Health Substance Use Prevention or Treatment In-home Parent Skill-Based Does Not Currently Meet Criteria

Active Parenting of Teens™ is a parenting education program designed for parents of teens ages 11–16. Active Parenting of Teens is a variant of Active Parenting that aims to strengthen parenting skills and prevent adolescent risk-taking behaviors, including drug use, violence, and early sexual activity. The program emphasizes parent skill development in communication, problem-solving, discipline, family enrichment, and encouragement.

 

Active Parenting of Teens includes up to six structured session topics: (1) education on parenting styles, mutual respect, and control versus influence; (2) active communication, encouragement, and problem-solving with teens; (3) consequences and additional problem-solving strategies; (4) building courage and self-esteem in teens and eliminating power struggles; (5 & 6) issues surrounding drugs, sexuality, and violence and risk-prevention strategies. Class leaders present session content through various mediums, such as leader presentations, PowerPoint slides, video vignettes, group discussions, role play and practice activities, and guidebook review. Home practice is supported with a workbook and online videos. 


Active Parenting of Teens does not currently meet criteria to receive a rating because no studies of the program achieved a rating of moderate or high on design and execution.


Date Research Evidence Last Reviewed: Dec 2022


Sources

The program or service description, target population, and program or service delivery and implementation information were informed by the following sources: the program or service manual, the program or service developer’s website, and the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare.


This information does not necessarily represent the views of the program or service developers. For more information on how this program or service was reviewed, visit the Review Process page or download the Handbook.

Target Population

Active Parenting of Teens is designed for parents of teens ages 11–16.

Dosage

Active Parenting of Teens is typically delivered in six weekly 2-hour group sessions. Class leaders deliver content to groups of 10–20 parents, through group size is flexible. Program intensity may be modified, including delivering all program content in 12 1-hour sessions or condensing into a weekend workshop. Program content can be implemented flexibly, including delivering only the first four sessions or delivering the first three or four sessions as a unit with remaining sessions scheduled as a follow-up course.

Location/Delivery Setting
Recommended Locations/Delivery Settings

Active Parenting of Teens is typically delivered in school settings or community-based organizations. Class leaders typically conduct sessions in person, though virtual delivery options are available.

Education, Certifications and Training

Implementing organizations may set educational requirements for class leaders. Formal training is not required, though class leader training workshops are available and consist of a 1-day, 7-hour live training webinar or a self-study class with video, reading, and discussion tools. 

Class leaders who have completed the training workshop can complete a formal certification process, though certification is not required to deliver the program. To become certified, a class leader must lead an Active Parenting class, administer class participant evaluation forms, complete a self-evaluation form, and send materials to the developer for approval. 

Program or Service Documentation
Book/Manual/Available documentation used for review

Popkin, M. H. (2009). Active Parenting of Teens: Leader’s guide (3rd ed.). Active Parenting Publishers. 

Available languages

Active Parenting of Teens materials are available in English and Spanish.

Other supporting materials

Class Leader Training

Popkin, M. H. (2009) Active Parenting of Teens: Parent’s guide (3rd ed.). Active Parenting Publishers. 

For More Information

Website: https://activeparenting.com/

Phone: (800) 825-0060

Email: cservice@activeparenting.com 


Note: The details on Dosage; Location; Education, Certifications, and Training; Other Supporting Materials; and For More Information sections above are provided to website users for informational purposes only. This information is not exhaustive and may be subject to change.

Results of Search and Review Number of Studies Identified and Reviewed for Active Parenting of Teens™
Identified in Search 3
Eligible for Review 1
Rated High 0
Rated Moderate 0
Rated Low 1
Reviewed Only for Risk of Harm 0
Sometimes study results are reported in more than one document, or a single document reports results from multiple studies. Studies are identified below by their Prevention Services Clearinghouse study identification numbers. To receive a rating of supported or well-supported, the favorable evidence for a program or service must have been obtained from research conducted in a usual care or practice setting.


Studies Rated Low

Study 14241

Foley, Y. C., Popkin, M., Mullis, F., & Cooper, P. J. (2019). Active Parenting Now and Active Parenting of Teens: An evaluation of two neo-Adlerian parenting programs. The Journal of Individual Psychology, 75(4), 272-286. https://doi.org/10.1353/jip.2019.0017

This study received a low rating because baseline equivalence of the intervention and comparison groups was necessary and not demonstrated.


Studies Not Eligible for Review

Study 14238

Alfredsson, E. K., Thorvaldsson, V., Axberg, U., & Broberg, A. G. (2018). Parenting programs during adolescence: Outcomes from universal and targeted interventions offered in real-world settings. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 59(4), 378-391. https://doi.org/10.1111/sjop.12446 

This study is ineligible for review because it does not use an eligible study design (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.4).

Study 14245

Mullis, F. (1999). Active Parenting: An evaluation of two Adlerian parent education programs. The Journal of Individual Psychology, 55(2), 225-232. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1999-05602-008

This study is ineligible for review because it does not use an eligible study design (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.4).