Online parent training for reducing parenting stress during the coronavirus pandemic

ISRCTN ISRCTN15254871
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN15254871
Secondary identifying numbers 2020/185
Submission date
15/05/2020
Registration date
23/05/2020
Last edited
21/05/2020
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Other
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
In January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of a new coronavirus disease, COVID-19, to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (WHO, 2020). In that time of crisis which generates stress throughout the population, supporting mental and psychosocial well-being is warranted. Internet-based programs have been identified as an alternative means of intervention delivery during the pandemic.
The study aims to evaluate the engagement in, satisfaction with, and efficacy of an internet-based parent-training program for reducing parenting stress during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Who can participate?
Parents of at least one child below the age of 18 years old, with internet access, own mobile phone or computer.

What does the study involve?
Participants will be randomly allocated to either complete the online training program without having any contact with other participants or the clinician who follows their completion, or in addition to the program an online forum will be added to the structure of the training, where participants can share their experiences and contact each other, and ask the clinician, or in addition to this, the clinician will give personal feedback to assignments submitted by the participants.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Possible benefits of participating will be that participants will receive information about potential mental health challenges of the pandemic and effective coping strategies that help to avoid the adverse psychological effects of the pandemic in parents and children. They can practice these skills during the training. An additional benefit is that if one of the participants is identified as needing further professional help, the moderator will contact him or her and help him or her get the appropriate help/treatment.
Potential risks: Thinking about the pandemic and raising awareness of their own and their children’s stress reaction, worries and coping capacities may be anxiety provoking. In that case the participant can contact the moderator, and the moderator will help him or her get the appropriate help/treatment.

Where is the study run from?
1. Eötvös Loránd University (Hungary)
2. Heim Pál National Pediatric Institute (Hungary)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
April 2020 to December 2020

Who is funding the study?
Eötvös Loránd University (Hungary)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Monika Miklósi, miklosi.monika@ppk.elte.hu

Contact information

Dr Monika Miklósi
Scientific

Eötvös Loránd University
Izbella 46
Budapest
1064
Hungary

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0001-8316-0410
Phone +36 20 3948183
Email miklosi.monika@ppk.elte.hu

Study information

Study designInterventional randomized controlled study
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Internet/virtual
Study typePrevention
Participant information sheet In Hungarian: https://drive.google.com/open?id=12NHiQh8iFOInp_8fnQnfNA3lLk-2yNem
Scientific titleOnline parent training for reducing parenting stress during the COVID-19 pandemic: a randomized controlled trial
Study objectivesThe online training program will result in a significant reduction in parents’ level of stress and a significant increase in well-being and parental self-efficacy
Ethics approval(s)Approved 12/05/2020, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Research Ethics Committee of the Eötvös Loránd University (Izbella 46, Budapest 1064, Hungary; + (36-1) 461-2600 / 5614; molnar.mark@ppk.elte.hu), ref: 2020/185
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedParental stress during COVID-19 pandemic
InterventionThe study aims to examine the effect of an online parent training in reducing parental stress during Covid-19 pandemic and to determine the optimal design of the program by means of engagement in, satisfaction with, and efficacy of the program.

The training program consists of two modules, one focusing on parents’ stress, and the second focusing on children’s stress and parenting practices that are appropriate during the pandemic time. Each module consists of 5 topics with short psychoeducative videos and written materials, while quizzes, worksheets, and feedback forms are included for increasing engagement. Parents can flexibly go through the topics during two weeks, requiring a 15-30-minutes daily online activity.

To explore the optimal structure of the training, participants will be randomized into three conditions.
In group 1., parents complete the online training program without having any contact with other participants or the clinician who follows their completion. The clinician contacts a parent only in case of emergency.
In group 2., an online forum will be added to the structure of the training, where participants can share their experiences and contact each other, and ask the clinician. The clinician will be involved in the forum and answer the questions.
In group 3., in addition to this, the clinician will give personal feedback to assignments submitted by the participants.

Block randomization with randomly selected block sizes of 6, 12 is used. The randomization scheme is generated by using the Web site Randomization.com (http://www.randomization.com
Intervention typeBehavioural
Primary outcome measureIn the parent, according to self-report, measured in four time-points: at baseline, post-treatment, 1- and 3-months follow-up:
1. Perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale, four-item version, PSS4)
2. Psychological well-being (WHO Well-being Index, WBI)
3. Parenting stress (Parental Stress Scale, shortened)
4. Parental competence (Parental Sense of Competence Scale, PSOC)
Secondary outcome measuresAccording to self-report, measured in four time-points: at baseline, post-treatment, 1- and 3-months follow-up:
1. Parenting behaviour (Multidimensional Assessment of Parenting Behavior, MAPS)
2. Children’s quality of life (Inventar zur Erfassung der Lebensqualitaet für Kindern und Jugendlichen, ILK)
Overall study start date06/04/2020
Completion date15/12/2020

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Healthy volunteer
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants300
Key inclusion criteria1. Being a parent of at least one child below the age of 18 years old
2. Internet access, own mobile phone or computer
Though both parents can take part in the training, only data from one parent per family will be included in analyses
Key exclusion criteriaDoes not meet inclusion criteria
Date of first enrolment18/05/2020
Date of final enrolment30/11/2020

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Hungary

Study participating centres

Eötvös Loránd University
Psychological Institute
Izabella 46
Budapest
1064
Hungary
Heim Pál National Pediatric Institute
Faludi 5
Budapest
1138
Hungary

Sponsor information

Heim Pál National Pediatric Institute LÉTRA Foundation
Hospital/treatment centre

Garas 9
Budapest
1026
Hungary

Phone +36 1 349-1514
Email mentalamb@heimpalkorhaz.hu
Website http://www.letraalapitvany.hu/

Funders

Funder type

University/education

Eötvös Loránd University

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date15/01/2021
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryOther
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in a high-impact peer-reviewed journal.
IPD sharing planAll data generated or analysed during this study will be included in the subsequent results publication.

Editorial Notes

21/05/2020: Trial’s existence confirmed by Institutional Ethical Committee of the Eötvös Loránd University.