New research finds online parenting program improves confidence and responsive caregiving in China

A six-week online parenting program improved parents' confidence and responsive caregiving behaviors in China, providing new evidence that culturally tailored interventions can strengthen family relationships in a society shaped by demanding work schedules and intense educational pressure.

Published in Family Relations, the study evaluated the Quality Parenting Initiative (QPI), a positive parenting program adapted specifically for Chinese families. In a randomized controlled trial, researchers found that parents who completed the program reported significantly greater parental self-efficacy and demonstrated more responsive parenting behaviors than those in a control group.

While positive parenting programs have been extensively studied in Western countries, evidence for their effectiveness in China has remained limited.

"While positive parenting programs can enhance parental competencies, culturally adapted programs and evidence from China remain scarce," said Minyi Li, a professor in the Faculty of Education at Beijing Normal University, a visiting fellow at the Paul and Marcia Wythes Center on Contemporary China at Princeton University, and the study's lead author. "We wanted to examine whether an online intervention designed specifically for Chinese families could effectively support parents."

The six-week program was designed to fit the realities of modern family life in China, where long work hours and a highly competitive educational culture often leave parents with little time while placing a strong emphasis on academic achievement.

"Time poverty in China is a systemic issue driven by this hyper-competitive culture and punishing work hours," Li said. "The online QPI promotes healthy, caring relationships by teaching caregivers to use sensitive, responsive and playful interactions during daily routines and play."

The intervention reflects the researchers' broader commitment to promoting play-based learning in early childhood education in China. Two of the program's sessions focused specifically on children's right to play and on incorporating children's perspectives into everyday parent-child interactions.

Compared with parents in the control group, QPI participants showed significant improvements in both parental self-efficacy and responsive caregiving behaviors.

The researchers say the findings demonstrate that culturally responsive parenting programs can be both practical and effective, particularly for families balancing work and caregiving responsibilities. Beyond increasing parents' confidence, the program also encouraged participants to view playful parenting as an alternative to more traditional childrearing approaches that emphasize academic achievement.

"QPI created opportunities for parents to observe, practice and reflect on their parenting," Li said, "which may encourage middle-class families to embrace playful parenting as an alternative to tiger parenting."

The researchers plan to expand the study by including more diverse populations and examining whether the program's benefits persist over time. They also hope to partner with local school districts to develop adapted versions of QPI for both early childhood educators and parents.

The study “Efficacy of an online positive parenting program: A randomized controlled trial” was published in the journal Family Relations on June 8, 2026.