Abstract Objective This randomized controlled trial examined the effectiveness of the Quality Parenting Initiative (QPI), a 6‐week culturally adapted online positive parenting program for Chinese parents of preschoolers. Background Academic‐oriented parenting in China may limit children's opportunities for play‐based learning and socioemotional development. While positive parenting programs can enhance parental competencies, culturally adapted programs and evidence from China remain scarce. Method A total of 159 parents (93.71% mothers; mean age = 35.33 years) were randomly assigned to an intervention group ( n = 88) or a waitlist control group ( n = 71). Parental self‐efficacy, responsive behaviors, and children's socioemotional outcomes were assessed at baseline and postintervention. Linear mixed‐effects models were used to estimate intervention effects. Results Compared with the control group, QPI participants showed significant improvements in parental self‐efficacy and responsive behaviors. No significant effects were found on children's socio‐emotional outcomes. Conclusion QPI improved parental self‐efficacy and responsive behaviors within 6 weeks. However, child‐level changes may require extended exposure or follow‐up to become detectable. Implications This study provides evidence from China on the effectiveness of a culturally adapted online positive parenting intervention. Future research should include more diverse samples and adopt more rigorous designs to evaluate long‐term effects.
Li et al. (Mon,) studied this question.