Effectiveness of an Online Parenting Training

Summary

Child and adolescent behavioral health problems are related to the leading causes of youth morbidity and mortality. Parent-focused preventive interventions, such as GenerationPMTO (GenPMTO), effectively prevent behavioral health problems such as depression and conduct disorders. Unfortunately, parenting programs are not widely available nor well-attended. Pediatric primary care (PC) is a non-stigmatizing setting with nearly universal reach and, therefore, an ideal access point to increase availability. However, PC personnel are not trained to address behavioral health topics. Also, typical referral practices are inadequate. There is a need to develop effective referral practices in conjunction with increasing availability. There are also logistical barriers to attending in-person parenting programs, like the need for childcare and a large time-commitment. There is a need to overcome these logistical barriers with more accessible programs. The long-term goal is to prevent significant behavioral health problems by increasing access to GenPMTO.

Conditions

• Behavior Problem
• Behavior, Child
• Parents
• Parent-Child Relations

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Communication Skills Training

The training will focus on communication skills based on key constructs in the Health Belief Model and motivation/resistance research (described in section A3), the training will focus on: (1) conveying the benefits of parenting programs, (2) knowledge of and responses to common perceived barriers to attending parenting programs, and (3) skills and strategies to effectively motivate and refer parents in ways that are least likely to elicit resistance. The in-person training will last 60-90 minutes. It will include a theoretical background and experiential learning; each step of the referral process will be demonstrated and role-played. The investigators will work to ensure that personnel receive continuing education credits for the training.

BEHAVIORAL

eHealth GenPMTO

The GenPMTO is delivered over the phone (not online). This version is up to 6 sessions in length. This brief eHealth version of GenPMTO will be delivered through community therapists. The program will be delivered one-on-one (i.e., between a therapist and a parent or couple).

BEHAVIORAL

Written Referral Process

A written summary and process map of the referral process, modeled on the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) 9-step process for "closing the loop" on referrals.

BEHAVIORAL

One Session Education about Resources

One online or phone conversation with the therapist in which the therapist guides the parent to the following resources: (a) a book, Raising Cooperative Kids, by GenPMTO co-developer Marion Forgatch; (b) a website, behaviorchecker.org, which includes behavioral "prescriptions" for common behavior issues; and (c) information about Early Childhood and Family Education classes, which are provided for free in Minnesota through public schools.

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Survey of Experience

Satisfaction with referral process

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

  collaborator NIH

• University of Minnesota

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Chris Mehus, PhD · University of Minnesota

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

16 Years

Max Age

100 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2022-02-21

Primary Completion

2024-06-01

Completion

2024-06-01

Countries

• United States

Study Locations