Parental participation and retention in an alcohol preventive family‐focused programme

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine factors predicting parental participation and retention in a Swedish version of the Strengthening Families Programme (SFP).Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on data from a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effects of the Swedish version of the SFP. The sample involves 441 parents of sixth graders, and the data are obtained from parents' questionnaires measuring demographics, parental warmth, rule setting, perception of norm‐breaking behaviours, knowledge of school performance, and parents' attitude towards adolescents and alcohol. Predictors of parental participation and retention are analysed with multiple logistic regressions.FindingsThere were two significant predictors for programme recruitment: having a low score on a scale measuring parents' emotional warmth and having a more restrictive attitude towards youth and alcohol. Retention was associated with being born in Sweden, and having a low score on the scale measuring warmth.Practical implicationsThere are few predictors of participation and retention in the Swedish version of the SFP, indicating that the programme seem to attract all types of parents in the general population. The fact that a low level of warmth predicts participation indicates that parents with a stronger need for support are recruited. Retention was greater among those who were born in Sweden, which indicates that efforts might be needed to meet the needs of those coming from another country.Originality/valueRecruiting and retaining parents into family programmes is challenging and it is important to identify the underlying factors for successful recruitment.