Tulane Innovations in Positive Parenting Study (TIPPS)

Tulane Innovations in Positive Parenting Study (TIPPS) is designed to assess the effects of two brief positive parenting programs. Promoting positive parenting is a key strategy to improve children’s health and well-being. However, light-touch, universal parenting education programs are rare in the U.S. Societal and cultural assumptions expect parents to know how to provide nurturing and healthy environments for their children. Yet, positive parenting techniques are not always intuitive, especially for those who did not experience them from their own parents. The long term goal of TIPPS is to inform future parenting programs and policies that can support children and families.

We are studying the effects of these parenting programs through interviews with female primary caregivers at three time points: before their participation in these programs, 3 months later, and 4-5 years later. At this latter time point, caregivers are also invited to bring their child to the TIPPS clinic space to complete a series of activities together, so we can learn more about how moms and their children interact. A subset of these caregivers are then invited to participate in a series of 2 in-depth, qualitative interviews, to offer an expanded breadth of information on parenting stories, goals, and experiences.

From 2014-2018, the TIPPS team recruited and interviewed over 800 caregivers at four Women Infants and Children (WIC) clinics throughout the Greater New Orleans area.
Caregivers were randomly assigned into one of three groups: Triple P (Level 2) trainer led parenting program, Play Nicely self-guided online parenting program, and printed community resource guides based on identified needs.
Caregivers shared their parenting journeys through a series of questions that included topics such as:
- Parenting Stress
- Caregivers’ own Parental Bonding Experiences
- Child Behavior
- Parenting strategies
- Exposure to Violence
- Open ended questions about parenting experiences

Study Update

As of early Summer 2022, 410 caregivers have completed a long-term follow up interview (~ 4-5 years from their first interview), and over 210 of those caregivers have completed a clinic visit with their child.
Over 35 caregivers have participated in a series of in-depth qualitative interviews.
Our team has identified preliminary Community Advisory Board (CAB) members, including caregivers who have completed study visits, to guide and inform our process of engaging TIPPS participants. As we prepare for dissemination of findings we will invite other community members to join the CAB as well.
The safety of our study participants and staff has been paramount throughout the course of the study, particularly as we have navigated through global and local challenges, such as COVID-19 and Hurricane Ida.

Next Steps

We aim to complete surveys with caregivers sometime in 2022. Our goal is to complete at least 500 surveys and 40 in-depth qualitative interviews

Completed data will be analyzed and results prepared
We will engage with TIPPS Community Advisory Board (CAB) members when study results are ready to be shared more widely in the New Orleans Community and beyond.
If you’re a TIPPS participant who wants to join the CAB, click here.
If you were previously involved as a participant and would like to continue, please click here for more information.

Funding

2014-2018: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

2018-Current: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)