Evidence-Based Policy Strategies for Holistic Health Promotion in School-Age Children: A Synthesis from the Evaluation of the Smart Love, Smart Parenting Program in Nan Province Effectiveness of Smart Parenting Program in Nan
Main Article Content
Abstract
The objective of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of the “Smart Love, Smart Parenting” Program in enhancing parenting skills and multiple intelligence in school-aged children in Nan Province. The study was based on the concept of positive parenting. A quasi-experimental research design was employed, using a pre-post single group design. The sample consisted of 70 households with children aged 6–12 years from general areas and 153 households from remote areas. Data were collected from parents before and after participating in the program using a parenting skills assessment and a multiple intelligence assessment for children. The findings revealed statistically significant improvements in both parenting skills (p < 0.01) and children’s multiple intelligence (p < 0.05) after program participation. The “Smart Love, Smart Parenting” Program was well received by parents, teachers, and public health personnel, who recognized the importance of strengthening family relationships and community support in child development. The findings indicate that the “Smart Love, Smart Parenting” Program is effective in promoting parenting skills and enhancing the multiple intelligence of school-aged children in both general and remote areas. The findings have implications for strengthening and developing parenting training programs within communities, particularly in areas with limited access to public health services. Moreover, the results can be applied in designing programs that foster positive relationships among homes, schools, and communities to sustainably support the development of parenting skills and children’s multiple intelligence.
Article Details

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
![]()
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
The authors retain copyright and permit the journal the copyright of first publication
Articles, once having passed the review process and accepted for publication in the CDMH Journal, are copyrighted under the CDMH Journal, Department of Mental Health, Ministry of Public Health. Please be aware distribution of CDMH Journal content for commercial purposes without permission is expressly prohibited. However, distribution with intent to educate, advocate, or spread awareness within the general public and research communities is permitted and encouraged with the understanding that the CDMH Journal Editorial Board do not hold jurisdiction or liability for any accompanying comments, text, or information from third parties, either in favor for or against the original article’s assertions, conclusions, methodology, or content.
References
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Catalano, H., Rus, A., Dohotaru, A. I., & Jeder, D. (2024). Parenting styles and children’s wellbeing. Revista Romaneasca pentru Educatie Multidimensionala, 16(4), 231-255. https://doi.org/10.18662/rrem/16.4/914
Copple, C., & Bredekamp, S. (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. National Association for the Education of Young Children. 1313 L Street NW Suite 500, Washington, DC 22205-4101.
Department of Mental Health. (2022). Smart Love, Smart Parenting Program (7-day parenting) [Internal document, unpublished manuscript]. Rajanagarindra Institute of Child Development, Department of Mental Health, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand. (In Thai)
Ek-anankun W. (2013). Psychiatrists concerned about high suicide rates among children in Nan province. Retrieved 20th March 2025, from https://www.thaihealth.or.th/
Hernández-Prados, M. Á., & Álvarez-Muñoz, J. S. (2023). Family leisure in rural and urban environments: a question of context. Societies, 13(2), 35. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13020035
Intharasathaphon A., Phuangsomchit C., & Phanpi C. (2022). Enhancing discipline in students through responsibility with parental involvement. Journal of Education Science, Faculty of Education, Mahamakut Buddhist University, 10(1), 256–274. (In Thai)
Khalifa, H. A. O., & Benissa, R. T. (2024). Health promotion and disease prevention in children and adolescents: An update of literature study. Scholars Academic Journal of Pharmacy, 13(6), 288–294. https://doi.org/10.36347/sajp.2024.v13i06.011
Kummabutr, J., Phuphaibul, R., Suwonnaroop, N., Villarruel, A. M., & Nityasuddhi, D. (2013). The effect of a parent training program, in conjunction with a life skills training program for school-age children, on children’s life skills, and parents’ child-rearing skills and perceptions of support for child life skills development. Pacific Rim International Journal of Nursing Research, 17(1), 3–27. Retrieved from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/PRIJNR/article/view/6357
Martinez, R. G., Wells, J., Anand, P., Pelto, G., Dhansay, M. A., & Haisma, H. (2022). Community participation and multidimensional child growth: evidence from the Vietnam Young Lives study. Current developments in nutrition, 6(4), nzac022. https://doi.org/10.1093/cdn/nzac022
Melvin, G. A., Gordon, M. S., & Gray, K. M. (2023). Evaluating the effect of parent-child interactive groups in a school-based parent training program: Parenting behavior, parenting stress, and sense of competence. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 54(3), 692–710. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-021-01276-6
Ministry of Public Health, Department of Mental Health. (2000). Emotional Intelligence Manual. Bangkok: Cooperative Union of Thailand.
Muhammad A. A., Rakphonlamuang C., & Boonprakop P. (2017). Parental involvement in education management to promote thinking skills and learning of Muslim children in the three southern border provinces. Al-Hikmah Journal, 7(13), 45–58. Retrieved from: https://so01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/HIKMAH/article/view/112345
Nabavi, R. T. (2012). Bandura’s social learning theory & social cognitive learning theory. Theory of Developmental Psychology, 1(1), 1-24. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/ publication/267750204_Bandura's_Social_Learning_Theory_Social_Cognitive_Learning_Theory
Nakhontharop A. (2013). Psychiatrists concerned about high suicide rates among children in Nan province. Retrieved 20th March 2025, from https://www.thaihealth.or.th/ (In Thai)
Rajanagarindra Institute of Child Development. (2020). Preschool Parenting Program: Triple-P – Developmental promotion and positive discipline with family involvement . Chiang Mai: Siam Print Nana Co., Ltd. (In Thai)
Saifa Y. (2014). Connecting learning between kindergarten and primary school: An important step for primary school children. Journal of Education, Chulalongkorn University, 42(3).
Thiamkaew K., Somchai C., Weludit W., & Kaeohirun S. (2022). Smart Love, Smart Parenting Program Manual (7-day Parenting) [Internal document, unpublished manuscript]. Chiang Mai: Rajanagarindra Institute of Child Development, Department of Mental Health, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand. (In Thai)
Ulferts, H. (2020). Why parenting matters for children in the 21st century: An evidence-based framework for understanding parenting and its impact on child development. https://doi.org/ 10.1787/129a1a59-en
UNICEF, & UNICEF. (2019). ’s global social protection programme framework. New York: UNICEF. Retrieved from: https://www.unicef.org/reports/global-social-protection-programme-framework-2019
Walaisathian P. (2000). Processes and Techniques of Development Workers. Bangkok: Research Fund Office. (In Thai)
Zurc, J., & Laaksonen, C. (2023, June). Effectiveness of health promotion interventions in primary schools—a mixed methods literature review. Healthcare. 11(13), 1817. https://doi.org/10.3390 /healthcare11131817