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YOUCA App for Parents of Children With Mental Health Issues: A Pilot Study of Usability and Efficacy

NCT07766746 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 25

Last updated 2026-08-14

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Parents play an important role in supporting their children's mental health but often feel unsure how to respond to emotional or mental health difficulties. To address this need, the PsyGes project developed the Youngsters Upbringing Mental Health Information and Counselling App (YOUCA), a smartphone app that provides parents with information, practical guidance, daily tips, communication strategies, a mental health glossary, and a directory of support services.

This study aims to evaluate the usability and potential effectiveness of YOUCA in improving parenting skills and parental self-efficacy (confidence in supporting a child). In this mixed-methods randomized waitlist-controlled pilot study, approximately 25 parents of children with mental health difficulties will participate. Participants will use the app over a four-week period and complete questionnaires before and after use. App usability and satisfaction will also be assessed. Interviews with parents and a focus group with psychosocial experts will provide additional feedback to support further app development and future larger-scale evaluation.

Conditions

  • Mental Health Help-Seeking
  • Mental Health Difficulties
  • Mental Health and General Well-being

Interventions

DEVICE

App YOUCA (prototype)

Youngsters Upbringing Mental Health Counseling App (YOUCA) to provide parents and caregivers with accessible professional guidance. YOUCA aims to strengthen parenting skills, to empower parents by helping them with strategies to support their children, particularly in times of emotional difficulty and provide the opportunity to seek professional help.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • NOUS Wissensmanagement FlexCo

    collaborator UNKNOWN

  • Empowermente, Verein für psychische Gesundheit von Jugendlichen und jungen Erwachsenen

    collaborator UNKNOWN

  • Psychotherapie Mantl

    collaborator UNKNOWN

  • FH Campus Wien, University of Applied Sciences

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Carina Hauser · Hochschule Campus Wien

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-08-31
Primary Completion
2026-12-31
Completion
2026-12-31

Countries

  • Austria

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07766746 on ClinicalTrials.gov