Interactive Educational Book Design on Emotional Parentification for Parents

Abstract

Emotional parentification occurs when a child fulfils the emotional needs of one or both parents. This phenomenon can lead to long-term negative effects, including anxiety, depression, and feelings of guilt. This study aims to design an interactive educational book to raise parental awareness and prevent emotional parentification. The design methodology employed is Design Thinking, which consists of five stages: empathy, definition, ideation, prototyping, and testing. The research process involves qualitative data collection through interviews, questionnaires, focus group discussions, and digital observations, focusing on the lack of available resources on emotional parentification in Indonesia. The outcome of this study is an interactive educational book featuring activities, journaling exercises, and educational content. This book is designed to foster emotionally appropriate parent-child communication, prevent the imposition of emotional burdens on children, and guide parents in regulating their emotions without involving their children. The proposed interactive educational book has the potential to enhance parental knowledge and practices regarding emotional parentification, ultimately contributing to healthier family dynamics.