Program Language: Macedonian

ABCD is a 4- to 6-week psychoeducational group-based parenting program. The program is founded in social learning principles and acceptance-based strategies. ABCD focuses on building stronger relationships between parents and their adolescent child by educating parents on the developmental stage of adolescence and associated challenges of this period in life. The program also tackles issues commonly faced by parents when parenting adolescents and aims to promote enhanced parental acceptance of their adolescent child.

ABCD emphasizes the importance of collaborative decision-making and problem-solving between parent and adolescent. Parents are also taught strategies around effective monitoring of their adolescent child and how to deal with inappropriate and risky behaviors (e.g., drug use). Finally, parents are informed on the importance of self-care and personal well-being.

Group delivery was chosen as a way to normalize common issues and challenges faced by parents. Within the group format, parents are provided with a forum to discuss and share ideas and experiences around parenting adolescents, which in turn can counteract feelings of isolation. In addition to group discussion and content learning, group-based activities and in-home exercises promote real-life skill development that is supplemented by brief instructions and constructive feedback.