ezPARENT
ezPARENT is a self-administered app-based adaptation of the Chicago Parent Program that aims to promote positive parenting skills and to prevent behavior problems in children ages 2–8.
Parents complete six 1-hour modules sequentially. Modules 1 and 2 focus on building parents’ positive relationships with their children. Modules 3, 4, and 5 cover child behavior management skills. Module 6 addresses stress management and problem-solving skills. Each module includes video clips of parents interacting with their children, knowledge questions to check understanding, interactive activities, and practice assignments.
ezPARENT does not currently meet criteria to receive a rating because no studies of the program that achieved a rating of moderate or high on design and execution demonstrated a favorable effect on a target outcome.
Date Research Evidence Last Reviewed: Jun 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 download the Handbook of Standards and Procedures, Version 1.0
Target Population
ezPARENT is intended to serve parents of children ages 2–8. It is designed to be culturally and contextually relevant for low-income, ethnically diverse families.
Dosage
ezPARENT consists of six modules that typically take 1 hour each to complete.
Location/Delivery Setting
Recommended Locations/Delivery Settings
ezPARENT is self-administered via an app and can be completed at home or in a variety of community settings.
Education, Certifications and Training
ezPARENT is self-completed and has no training, education, or certification requirements.
Program or Service Documentation
Book/Manual/Available documentation used for review
Breitenstein, S., Gross, D., Bettencourt, A., & Greene, M. (2021). ezPARENT [Electronic software]. The Ohio State University.
Available languages
ezPARENT materials are available in English.
For More Information
Website: https://www.chicagoparentprogram.org/
Email: CPPinfo@chicagoparentprogram.org
Contact Form: https://www.chicagoparentprogram.org/contact
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 ezPARENT |
|---|---|
| Identified in Search | 4 |
| Eligible for Review | 2 |
| Rated High | 1 |
| Rated Moderate | 1 |
| Rated Low | 0 |
| Reviewed Only for Risk of Harm | 0 |
| Outcome | Effect Size
 and Implied Percentile Effect
|
N of Studies (Findings) | N of Participants | Summary of Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child well-being: Behavioral and emotional functioning |
0.02
0 |
2 (28) | 342 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 28 Unfavorable: 0 |
| Adult well-being: Positive parenting practices |
-0.03
-1 |
2 (29) | 342 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 28 Unfavorable: 1 |
| Adult well-being: Parent/caregiver mental or emotional health |
-0.02
0 |
2 (5) | 342 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 5 Unfavorable: 0 |
| Adult well-being: Family functioning |
0.04
1 |
1 (3) | 263 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 3 Unfavorable: 0 |
Note: For the effect sizes and implied percentile effects reported in the table, a positive number favors the intervention group and a negative number favors the comparison group.
| Outcome | Effect Size
and Implied Percentile Effect
|
N of Studies (Findings) | N of Participants | Summary of Findings |
Months after treatment when outcome measured
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child well-being: Behavioral and emotional functioning |
0.02
0 |
2 (28) | 342 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 28 Unfavorable: 0 |
- |
| Study 14220 - ezPARENT vs. Health Promotion Attention Control (Breitenstein, 2016a) | |||||
| Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory: Problem Scale |
-0.14
-5 |
- | 79 | - | 0 |
| Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory: Problem Scale |
0.01
0 |
- | 79 | - | 3 |
| Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory: Intensity Scale |
0.00
0 |
- | 79 | - | 0 |
| Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory: Intensity Scale |
0.18
6 |
- | 79 | - | 3 |
| Study 14221 - ezParent vs. Enhanced Usual-care Control (Breitenstein, 2021) | |||||
| Parenting Stress Index – Short Form: Difficult Child |
0.13
5 |
- | 255 | - | 0 |
| Parenting Stress Index – Short Form: Difficult Child |
0.01
0 |
- | 263 | - | 3 |
| Parenting Stress Index – Short Form: Difficult Child |
0.01
0 |
- | 256 | - | 9 |
| Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory: Intensity Scale |
-0.08
-3 |
- | 255 | - | 0 |
| Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory: Intensity Scale |
0.04
1 |
- | 263 | - | 3 |
| Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory: Intensity Scale |
-0.12
-4 |
- | 256 | - | 9 |
| Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory: Problem Scale |
0.01
0 |
- | 254 | - | 0 |
| Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory: Problem Scale |
0.05
2 |
- | 263 | - | 3 |
| Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory: Problem Scale |
0.05
2 |
- | 256 | - | 9 |
| Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: Emotional Symptoms |
0.01
0 |
- | 255 | - | 0 |
| Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: Emotional Symptoms |
-0.04
-1 |
- | 263 | - | 3 |
| Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: Emotional Symptoms |
-0.08
-3 |
- | 256 | - | 9 |
| Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: Conduct Problems |
0.07
2 |
- | 255 | - | 0 |
| Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: Conduct Problems |
0.11
4 |
- | 263 | - | 3 |
| Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: Conduct Problems |
0.08
3 |
- | 256 | - | 9 |
| Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: Hyperactivity/Inattention |
0.19
7 |
- | 254 | - | 0 |
| Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: Hyperactivity/Inattention |
-0.08
-3 |
- | 263 | - | 3 |
| Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: Hyperactivity/Inattention |
-0.11
-4 |
- | 256 | - | 9 |
| Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: Peer Relationship Problems |
0.09
3 |
- | 254 | - | 0 |
| Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: Peer Relationship Problems |
0.03
1 |
- | 263 | - | 3 |
| Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: Peer Relationship Problems |
-0.02
0 |
- | 256 | - | 9 |
| Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: Prosocial Behaviour |
0.16
6 |
- | 253 | - | 0 |
| Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: Prosocial Behaviour |
-0.06
-2 |
- | 263 | - | 3 |
| Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: Prosocial Behaviour |
0.14
5 |
- | 256 | - | 9 |
| Adult well-being: Positive parenting practices |
-0.03
-1 |
2 (29) | 342 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 28 Unfavorable: 1 |
- |
| Study 14220 - ezPARENT vs. Health Promotion Attention Control (Breitenstein, 2016a) | |||||
| Parenting Questionnaire: Warmth |
0.06
2 |
- | 79 | - | 0 |
| Parenting Questionnaire: Warmth |
0.30
11 |
- | 79 | - | 3 |
| Parenting Questionnaire: Corporal Punishment |
-0.12
-4 |
- | 79 | - | 0 |
| Parenting Questionnaire: Corporal Punishment |
0.14
5 |
- | 79 | - | 3 |
| Parenting Questionnaire: Follow Through |
0.24
9 |
- | 79 | - | 0 |
| Parenting Questionnaire: Follow Through |
0.16
6 |
- | 79 | - | 3 |
| Toddler Care Questionnaire |
-0.08
-3 |
- | 79 | - | 0 |
| Toddler Care Questionnaire |
0.13
5 |
- | 79 | - | 3 |
| Study 14221 - ezParent vs. Enhanced Usual-care Control (Breitenstein, 2021) | |||||
| Parenting Questionnaire: Warmth |
-0.08
-3 |
- | 253 | - | 0 |
| Parenting Questionnaire: Warmth |
-0.02
0 |
- | 263 | - | 3 |
| Parenting Questionnaire: Warmth |
-0.16
-6 |
- | 256 | - | 9 |
| Parenting Questionnaire: Follow Through |
-0.16
-6 |
- | 255 | - | 0 |
| Parenting Questionnaire: Follow Through |
0.08
3 |
- | 263 | - | 3 |
| Parenting Questionnaire: Follow Through |
0.07
2 |
- | 256 | - | 9 |
| Parenting Questionnaire: Corporal Punishment |
-0.16
-6 |
- | 243 | - | 0 |
| Parenting Questionnaire: Corporal Punishment |
0.05
2 |
- | 263 | - | 3 |
| Parenting Questionnaire: Corporal Punishment |
-0.06
-2 |
- | 256 | - | 9 |
| Parenting Young Children: Supporting Good Behavior |
-0.23
-9 |
- | 255 | - | 0 |
| Parenting Young Children: Supporting Good Behavior |
-0.15
-6 |
- | 263 | - | 3 |
| Parenting Young Children: Supporting Good Behavior |
-0.31
*
-12 |
- | 256 | - | 9 |
| Parenting Young Children: Setting Limits |
-0.05
-1 |
- | 255 | - | 0 |
| Parenting Young Children: Setting Limits |
-0.05
-2 |
- | 263 | - | 3 |
| Parenting Young Children: Setting Limits |
-0.10
-3 |
- | 256 | - | 9 |
| Parenting Young Children: Proactive Parenting |
0.00
0 |
- | 255 | - | 0 |
| Parenting Young Children: Proactive Parenting |
-0.08
-3 |
- | 263 | - | 3 |
| Parenting Young Children: Proactive Parenting |
-0.15
-5 |
- | 256 | - | 9 |
| Parenting Sense of Competence: Total Score |
-0.02
0 |
- | 253 | - | 0 |
| Parenting Sense of Competence: Total Score |
0.11
4 |
- | 263 | - | 3 |
| Parenting Sense of Competence: Total Score |
0.07
2 |
- | 256 | - | 9 |
| Adult well-being: Parent/caregiver mental or emotional health |
-0.02
0 |
2 (5) | 342 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 5 Unfavorable: 0 |
- |
| Study 14220 - ezPARENT vs. Health Promotion Attention Control (Breitenstein, 2016a) | |||||
| Parenting Stress Index – Short Form: Total Stress |
-0.01
0 |
- | 79 | - | 0 |
| Parenting Stress Index – Short Form: Total Stress |
0.19
7 |
- | 79 | - | 3 |
| Study 14221 - ezParent vs. Enhanced Usual-care Control (Breitenstein, 2021) | |||||
| Parenting Stress Index – Short Form: Parental Distress |
-0.09
-3 |
- | 255 | - | 0 |
| Parenting Stress Index – Short Form: Parental Distress |
0.01
0 |
- | 263 | - | 3 |
| Parenting Stress Index – Short Form: Parental Distress |
-0.07
-2 |
- | 256 | - | 9 |
| Adult well-being: Family functioning |
0.04
1 |
1 (3) | 263 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 3 Unfavorable: 0 |
- |
| Study 14221 - ezParent vs. Enhanced Usual-care Control (Breitenstein, 2021) | |||||
| Parenting Stress Index – Short Form: Parent-Child Dysfunctional Interaction |
0.10
4 |
- | 254 | - | 0 |
| Parenting Stress Index – Short Form: Parent-Child Dysfunctional Interaction |
0.01
0 |
- | 263 | - | 3 |
| Parenting Stress Index – Short Form: Parent-Child Dysfunctional Interaction |
0.02
0 |
- | 256 | - | 9 |
*p <.05
Note: For the effect sizes and implied percentile effects reported in the table, a positive number favors the intervention group and a negative number favors the comparison group. Effect sizes and implied percentile effects were calculated by the Prevention Services Clearinghouse as described in the Handbook of Standards and Procedures, Section 5.10.4 and may not align with effect sizes reported in individual publications.
Only publications with eligible contrasts that met design and execution standards are included in the individual study findings table.
Full citations for the studies shown in the table are available in the "Studies Reviewed" section.
The participant characteristics display is an initial version. We encourage those interested in providing feedback to send suggestions to preventionservices@abtglobal.com.
The table below displays locations, the year, and participant demographics for studies that received moderate or high ratings on design and execution and that reported the information. Participant characteristics for studies with more than one intervention versus comparison group pair that received moderate or high ratings are shown separately in the table. Please note, the information presented here uses terminology directly from the study documents, when available. Studies that received moderate or high ratings on design and execution that did not include relevant participant demographic information would not be represented in this table.
For more information on how Clearinghouse reviewers record the information in the table, please see our Resource Guide on Study Participant Characteristics and Settings.
| Characteristics of the Participants in the Studies with Moderate or High Ratings | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Study Location
|
Study Year
|
Age or Grade-level
|
Race, Ethnicity, Nationality
|
Gender
|
Populations of Interest*
|
Household Socioeconomic Status
|
| Study 14220 - ezPARENT vs. Health Promotion Attention Control | ||||||
| Characteristics of the Children and Youth | ||||||
| Chicago, IL, USA | 2013 | 23% 2 years old, 22% 3 years old, 37% 4 years old, 19% 5 years old | -- |
57% Female 43% Male |
-- | -- |
| Characteristics of the Adults, Parents, or Caregivers | ||||||
| Chicago, IL, USA | 2013 | 34% age 18-29, 63% age 30-49, 3% age 50+ |
65% African American 30% Hispanic 5% White/Other |
-- | 100% Parents |
6% Annual income greater than $40,000 28% Annual income $20,000-$40,000 66% Annual income less than $20,000 54% Not working 46% Working |
| Study 14221 - ezParent vs. Enhanced Usual-care Control | ||||||
| Characteristics of the Children and Youth | ||||||
| Chicago, IL, USA | 2016 | Average age: 2 years; Age range: 2-5 years | -- |
51% Male 49% Female |
-- | -- |
| Characteristics of the Adults, Parents, or Caregivers | ||||||
| Chicago, IL, USA | 2016 | Average age: 33 years |
62% African-American 24% Latinx 8% White 6% Other/don't wish to answer |
-- | 100% Parents; 91% Mother, 5% Father, 4% Other (foster parent, grandmother, aunt) |
39% Less than Federal Poverty Line (FPL) 13% Between 100% FPL and 150% FPL 12% Between 150% and 200% FPL 34% Greater than 200% FPL 2% Income based on FPL - Don't wish to answer |
“--” indicates information not reported in the study.
* The information about disabilities is based on initial coding. For more information on how the Clearinghouse recorded disability information for the initial release, please see our Resource Guide on Study Participant Characteristics and Settings. The Clearinghouse is currently seeking consultation from experts, including those with lived experience, and input from the public to enhance and improve the display.
Note: Citations for the documents associated with each 5-digit study number shown in the table can be found in the “Studies Reviewed” section below. Study settings and participant demographics are recorded for all studies that received moderate or high ratings on design and execution and that reported the information. Studies that did not report any information about setting or participant demographics are not displayed. For more information on how participant characteristics are recorded, please see our Resource Guide on Study Participant Characteristics and Settings.
Studies Rated High
Study 14220Breitenstein, S. M., Fogg, L., Ocampo, E. V., Acosta, D. I., & Gross, D. (2016a). Parent use and efficacy of a self-administered, tablet-based parent training intervention: A randomized controlled trial. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 4(2), Article e36. https://doi.org/10.2196/mhealth.5202
Breitenstein, S. M., Brager, J., Ocampo, E. V., & Fogg, L. (2017). Engagement and adherence with ezPARENT, an mHealth parent-training program promoting child well-being. Child Maltreatment, 22(4), 295–304. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077559517725402
This study was conducted in a usual care or practice setting (Handbook Section 6.2.2)Studies Rated Moderate
Study 14221Breitenstein, S. M., Laurent, S., Pabalan, L., Risser, H. J., Roper, P., Saba, M. T., & Schoeny, M. (2019). Implementation findings from an effectiveness-implementation trial of tablet-based parent training in pediatric primary care. Families, Systems & Health, 37(4), 282–290. https://doi.org/10.1037/fsh0000447
Breitenstein, S. M., Fehrenbacher, C., Holod, A. F., & Schoeny, M. E. (2021). A randomized trial of digitally delivered, self-administered parent training in primary care: Effects on parenting and child behavior. Journal of Pediatrics, 231, 207-214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.12.016
Breitenstein, S. M., Schoeny, M., Risser, H., & Johnson, T. (2016b). A study protocol testing the implementation, efficacy, and cost effectiveness of the ezParent program in pediatric primary care. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 50, 229–237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cct.2016.08.017
This study was conducted in a usual care or practice setting (Handbook Section 6.2.2)Studies Not Eligible for Review
Study 14219
Breitenstein, S. M., & Gross, D. (2013). Web-based delivery of a preventive parent training intervention: A feasibility study. Journal of Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 26(2), 149-157. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcap.12031
This study is ineligible for review because it does not use an eligible study design (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.4).
Study 14222
Brager, J., Breitenstein, S. M., Miller, H., & Gross, D. (2021). Low-income parents' perceptions of and engagement with a digital behavioral parent training program: A mixed-methods study. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 27(1), 33-43. https://doi.org/10.1177/1078390319872534
This study is ineligible for review because it does not use an eligible study design (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.4).