The Abu Dhabi Parenting Program (ADPP)

Parenting programs have been developed and implemented across the globe with systematic reviews demonstrating their effectiveness in enhancing positive parenting practices that  influence children’s cognitive, behavioral, and social-emotional outcomes. However, to maximize the effectiveness of these parenting programs, it is essential that they resonate with the cultural values and experiences of the target population. In collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), the Emirates College for Advanced Education (ECAE), and Zayed University, we aimed to develop, design, implement, and measure the effectiveness of a parenting program specific to Abu Dhabi. 

The project launched with a comprehensive literature review of parenting programs within the MENA region and based on these insights, we developed a Theory of Change for a pilot program and designed an eight-week course specifically tailored for mothers of children aged 0-4 years. The project was implemented throughout the city of Abu Dhabi, followed by an evaluation of its impact.

The primary objective of the ADPP pilot research was to gather actionable insights and feedback on the feasibility of the new program, identify potential challenges, and recommend refinements before launching a comprehensive, large-scale implementation by the ECA.  To align with this objective, the pilot study employed a treatment-comparison group design. This approach provided valuable insights into the unique aspects of the Abu Dhabi context when implementing a parenting program. The pre-post comparison involved one treatment group and one comparison group, with measurement points established prior to the first session, after seven weeks of weekly sessions, and following a booster session after a six-week break.

Collaborators:

• Professor Michelle Kelly, Emirates College for Advanced Education, Abu Dhabi

• Professor Christin Camia, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi

Funding:

• Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority

Publications from the project:

Suchodoletz, A. v., Camia, C., Maliki, A., Alwahedi, M. S., & Kelly, M. P. (2025). Parenting programs in the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region: A multilevel meta-analysis. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 70, 334-346.

Suchodoletz, A. v., Chapelier, C., Kelly, M. P., Fakhoury, S., & Camia, C. (31- March-2024). Abu Dhabi Parenting Program: Design, Development and Evaluation – Final Report. Commissioned by the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority.