Parenting support for refugee families builds more secure children

Being a parent in a new country is one of the hardest things there is. The language, the systems, the unspoken rules — all unfamiliar. A Norwegian study has now examined whether two of the most widely used parenting programmes actually work for families with refugee backgrounds. The answer gives municipalities across the country something concrete to act on.

For more than a decade, The Incredible Years and Incredible Childhood Development Program have been among the most widely used parenting programmes in Norway. Both are designed to strengthen parenting skills, improve the parent-child relationship, and prevent mental health problems. But one important question remained unanswered: do they work equally well for parents who have recently arrived in the country, facing challenges the programmes were never originally designed for?

That is exactly what the PIRM study — Supported Parenting Interventions for Refugees and Minorities — set out to examine. Researchers at RKBU Nord and the University of Tromsø, led by Lene-Mari Rasmussen, recruited 209 refugee families (270 parents) from 12 municipalities across Norway. Parents were randomly assigned to either Incredible Years or ICDP, with children aged 6 to 12. The study also tested a digital feedback tool called MittEcho, through which parents reported to group leaders each week.

The findings are clear: both programmes work. Parents who took part in Incredible Years became better at using praise and positive reinforcement. ICDP had the greatest impact on helping children feel calmer and more secure. And although the MittEcho feedback system was underused, it showed measurable reductions in negative parenting among those who did engage with it.

"Refugee parents face challenges that most parenting programmes were never designed to address — stress related to child protection services, language barriers, and navigating an unfamiliar set of norms around raising children. That makes it especially important to know that these programmes actually work for this group," says Lene-Mari Rasmussen, principal investigator and researcher at RKBU Nord.

The study also brought children's own experiences into view. Most of the children did not know their parents had attended a course — yet in interviews, they described changes at home. They noticed their parents listening more, being more present, handling conflict differently. Many children also shared experiences of isolation, bullying, and language difficulties. These findings shed new light on what children with refugee backgrounds are quietly carrying.

"We fund research because we want to know what works — not just what looks good on paper. These findings show that it is possible to support families through one of life's most vulnerable transitions, and that evidence-based parenting support can make a real difference for children growing up in a new country," says Ingrid Paasche, Executive Director of Kavli Trust.

The research team has already shared preliminary findings with practitioners through digital seminars and conferences, including a closing seminar with the Norwegian Directorate of Integration (IMDi) on the role of parenting support in integration. Results are now being published in peer-reviewed journals and shared with municipalities and services working with refugee families.

"This is a good example of what the Health Research Programme is for: generating knowledge that municipalities can act on. We now know that both programmes work, but in slightly different ways. That is precise, usable information for anyone deciding what kind of support to offer refugee families," says Rune Mørland, Grants Manager for Norway and internationally at Kavli Trust.

Kavli Trust's Health Research Programme funds research that is relevant, useful, and shaped by the needs of end users. The PIRM study is a clear example — knowledge that translates directly into better services for children and families who need them most.

Key facts about the study

• The study was called PIRM — Supported Parenting Interventions for Refugees and Minorities.
• Led by Lene-Mari Rasmussen at RKBU Nord, UiT The Arctic University of Norway.
• 209 refugee families (270 parents) from 12 municipalities across Norway participated.
• Children were aged 6–12; parents had on average lived in Norway for less than one year.
• Two programmes were tested: Incredible Years (15 weeks) and ICDP (12 weeks).
• Both programmes showed positive effects on children's behaviour and parental stress.