Effectiveness of a universal film intervention in reducing violence against children and increasing positive parenting among migrant and displaced caregivers from Myanmar
A community-based cluster randomised trial
A team of international researchers recently conducted a groundbreaking study examining how film can be used to reduce violence against children and promote positive parenting among migrant and displaced families from Myanmar living in Thailand. The study, which was the first of its kind in a low-resource setting, evaluated the effectiveness of a single film screening followed by a facilitated discussion as a way to reach vulnerable families who might not otherwise have access to parenting support.
The researchers worked with local community organizations to create "Being Family," a 66-minute narrative drama that depicts the parenting challenges faced by two families living on the Thailand-Myanmar border. The film was crafted through extensive consultation with migrant and displaced communities and was produced by a refugee filmmaker, featuring cast and crew members from Myanmar. The intervention included the film screening, a 30-40 minute guided discussion afterward, and distribution of visual materials summarizing key parenting messages.
The study involved 2,249 caregivers across 44 communities in Thailand's Tak province, with communities randomly assigned to either receive the film intervention or serve as a control group. The results showed promising outcomes - caregivers who watched the film reported using less physical violence with their children and demonstrated more positive parenting behaviors compared to those who didn't see the film. While the effects on physical violence began to fade after four months, improvements in positive parenting skills were sustained.
These findings suggest that using narrative film could be an effective and scalable way to support parents in challenging circumstances. The intervention's success in reaching many families at relatively low cost, while overcoming barriers like low literacy rates, points to its potential for wider implementation in other low-resource settings. However, the researchers note that in areas experiencing active conflict, such as along the Thailand-Myanmar border, additional support may be needed alongside film screenings to create lasting change in how parents interact with their children.
Recommended Citation
Sim, A., Lwin, K. Z., Eagling-Peche, S., Melendez-Torres, G. J., Vyas, S., Calderon, F., Jirapramukpitak, T., Lachman, J., Punpuing, S., Gonzalez, A., Soan, M., Oo, N. N., Mitjans, I. C., Tyrosvoutis, G., & Puffer, E. (2025). Effectiveness of a universal film intervention in reducing violence against children and increasing positive parenting among migrant and displaced caregivers from Myanmar: A community-based cluster randomised trial. The Lancet Regional Health - Southeast Asia, 100526. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lansea.2024.100526