Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting
Date Submitted: Jan 16, 2024
Open Peer Review Period: Jan 18, 2024 - Mar 14, 2024
Date Accepted: Aug 19, 2024
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
The feasibility and acceptability of chatbots for delivering parenting interventions: a systematic review
ABSTRACT
Background:
Parenting interventions are crucial for promoting family well-being, yet scaling these programmes remains a challenge. This paper reviews the emerging field of chatbot-delivered parenting interventions and assesses the feasibility of implementation and acceptability.
Objective:
The objective of this study is to review the implementation feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of parenting interventions to promote family wellbeing delivered by digital conversational agents (chatbots).
Methods:
This review conducted a comprehensive search of databases, including Web of Science, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Pro Quest, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Review of Interventions and PRISMA guidelines were used to conduct the search. Eligible studies targeted parents of children aged 0–18 years, used chatbots via digital platforms such as the Internet, mobile applications, or SMS, and targeted improving family well-being through parenting. Implementation measures, acceptability, and any reported preliminary measures of effectiveness were included.
Results:
Of the 1,766 initial results, 10 studies met the inclusion criteria. The included studies, primarily conducted in high-income countries, demonstrated high retention rates and positive acceptability. However, significant heterogeneity in interventions, measurement methods, and study quality necessitates cautious interpretation. Reporting bias, lack of clarity in the operationalisation of engagement measures, and platform limitations were identified as limiting factors in interpreting findings.
Conclusions:
This is the first study to review the implementation feasibility and acceptability of chatbots for delivering parenting programmes. While preliminary evidence suggests that chatbots can be used to deliver parenting programmes further research, standardization of reporting, and scaling up effectiveness testing are critical to harness the full benefits of chatbots for promoting family well-being.
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Copyright
© The authors. All rights reserved. This is a privileged document currently under peer-review/community review (or an accepted/rejected manuscript). Authors have provided JMIR Publications with an exclusive license to publish this preprint on it's website for review and ahead-of-print citation purposes only. While the final peer-reviewed paper may be licensed under a cc-by license on publication, at this stage authors and publisher expressively prohibit redistribution of this draft paper other than for review purposes.