Delphi consensus study of an m-health intervention to improve coparenting relationship quality between parents of children with challenging behaviours

Background: Coparenting relationship quality is widely acknowledged as an important factor influencing child behaviour, parenting self-efficacy, and parental mental health. A quality coparenting relationship is thought to buffer negative short- and long-term outcomes for parents (e.g., mental health, relationship difficulties) and children (e.g., behavioural, developmental). Method: In a recent Delphi Consensus study by Powe et al. (2019) exploring broad parenting themes, four coparenting specific themes (e.g., respectful communication, managing conflict) and 21 subtopics (e.g., defusing conflict, active listening, respect) were identified. The current study extends on the Powe et al. study by systematically developing and testing the feasibility (i.e., clarity, usefulness, relevance) of a bank of researcher-developed, m-health intervention messages (N=63) designed to support coparenting relationship quality for parents of children with challenging behaviours. An online Delphi methodology over three consecutive rounds was adopted with an expert professional panel (n=11) with experience in childhood developmental disorders, behaviour management and parenting. Results: A total of 33% (n=21) of the initial bank of researcher-developed m-health messages (N=63) were endorsed by 80% or more of the Delphi expert panel. The final message bank represented all four main themes but not all subtopics. Final messages were deemed by the panel to be helpful, clear, and relevant for parents of children with behavioural challenges. Conclusion: There was consensus from an expert panel that the researcher-developed messages were suitable to support the coparenting relationship (e.g., improved communication and interpersonal connection) for parents of children with behavioural challenges. The findings may inform future development of a web-based m-health.