Diversity in practitioners' perspectives on the implementation of the evidence‐based Triple P—Positive Parenting Program

Evidence‐based programs (EBPs) have the potential to improve the well‐being of families and children, but do not necessarily produce the expected outcomes when implemented in real‐world settings. It thus appears essential to consider the factors that can impact the implementation process, especially those related to the practitioners who deliver these programs. This study aimed to identify and describe common patterns in practitioners' experience of the implementation of an EBP. To this end, six focus groups were conducted with 38 practitioners from the health, social and education sectors, 1 year after they had received training in the evidence‐based Triple P—Positive Parenting Program. An in‐depth analysis of the content of these interviews revealed a diversity in the practitioners' experience of the implementation of Triple P. Three distinct types of discourse regarding the implementation process, labelled ‘conviction’, ‘mastering’ and ‘estrangement’ discourse, were identified. Motivational theories were used to understand the interaction between the factors that appeared to be key elements differentiating the discourses in this typology (i.e., practitioners' attitudes, perceived organisational support, self‐efficacy and level of program use). This study highlights the dynamic nature of the implementation process, and shows that a negative initial position towards a new EBP can change over time, given the appropriate organisational conditions.