Efficacy of the knowledge, awareness, growth & efficacy (K.A.G.E.) online parenting programme in enhancing parenting skills among Chinese rural parents: a pilot randomised controlled trial

To address the challenges of parenting education in rural China, this study developed and evaluated the Knowledge, Awareness, Growth & Efficacy (K.A.G.E.) online parenting program. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 60 rural boarding-school parents randomly assigned to intervention (n = 30) and control (n = 30) groups. The eight-week intervention focused on child protection, parenting effectiveness, and family functioning. Outcomes were assessed at pretest, posttest, and three-month follow-up using repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance. Results showed that the intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in child protection knowledge, parenting effectiveness, parent-child relationships, and family functioning. The program also incorporated visual aids and simplified language to enhance accessibility for rural populations. This study provides a practical framework for developing digital parenting interventions tailored to underserved communities. Future research could further explore the role of digital literacy in optimising online programme delivery and promoting long-term adherence.