Parenting programmes that enhance family connectedness in families with children with behavioural problems: A scoping review

Family connectedness is a critical protective factor in child development. Parenting programmes provide a means of enhancing relational quality and reducing behaviour-related challenges, particularly in African and low-resource settings. This scoping review maps the existing literature on parenting programmes that enhance family connectedness in families with children with behavioural problems (FCBP). The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines and included qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies published in English between 2010 and 2020. Major electronic databases were searched and supplemented by grey literature searches, reference list screening, and African-focused sources such as African Journals Online (AJOL). A total of 43 studies were identified. The review found that few studies explicitly measured family connectedness as a primary outcome. However, parenting programmes commonly incorporated components such as parental emotional awareness, communication, positive parenting, parental monitoring, and discipline. These elements were associated with improved parent–child bonding, reduced parental stress, and decreases in children’s behavioural difficulties. Both in-person and online delivery formats demonstrated positive outcomes. Nevertheless, gaps remain regarding fathers’ engagement and contextual and cultural challenges. The findings highlight the importance of culturally grounded, relationship-based parenting programmes for social work practice, policy, and future research. Current and previous volumes are available at: ajsw.africasocialwork.net