Max Klapow’s doctoral research focuses on designing and evaluating technologies such as chatbots and apps to deliver parent-led cognitive behavioural therapy. His recent academic journal article, “The Feasibility and Acceptability of Using a Digital Conversational Agent (Chatbot) for Delivering Parenting Interventions: Systematic Review”, written with Andrew Rosenblatt and University of Oxford professors Jamie Lachman and Frances Gardner, reviewed the evidence of using chatbots to deliver parenting interventions and assess the feasibility of implementation, acceptability of these interventions, and preliminary outcomes.
“We explored whether chatbots –automated conversational agents that provide support, information, and guidance through text or voice interactions – could be an effective tool for delivering parenting interventions.”
- Max Klapow
He writes:
“Our findings suggest that these tools could play a critical role in addressing the growing burden of parental stress, but they also underscore the need for careful evaluation and cautious implementation.
Chatbots (such as Parenting for Lifelong Health’s ParentText solution) could be an innovative solution that aligns with these international priorities. They offer a scalable, low-cost method for delivering evidence-based parenting interventions, which can be particularly valuable in settings where access to traditional mental health and parenting support services is limited. For example, in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), there are significant barriers to accessing in-person services due to geographic isolation, stigma, or a lack of trained professionals. Chatbots can bridge these gaps by providing support directly to parents' mobile phones, which are increasingly accessible worldwide.
Our study systematically reviewed the feasibility and acceptability of using chatbots to deliver parenting interventions. Chatbots were found to be promising tools for supporting parents, showing higher retention rates than other digital behaviour-change interventions and receiving very positive user feedback. This suggests that parents are not only willing to engage with chatbots but also find them helpful in managing the day-to-day challenges of parenting.
Our study highlighted a significant issue: the lack of standardisation in measuring the feasibility and acceptability of chatbot interventions. Across the studies we reviewed, there was considerable heterogeneity in how researchers defined success, using various metrics such as user retention rates, engagement metrics, satisfaction surveys, and self-reported behavior changes. This inconsistency makes it challenging to draw firm conclusions about the overall effectiveness of chatbots and poses a significant obstacle for policymakers and practitioners who need clear and consistent data to make informed decisions....”