Online parent training for reducing parenting stress during the coronavirus pandemic
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN15254871 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN15254871 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Protocol serial number | 2020/185 |
| Sponsor | Heim Pál National Pediatric Institute LÉTRA Foundation |
| Funder | Eötvös Loránd University |
- 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
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
Scientific
Eötvös Loránd University
Izbella 46
Budapest
1064
Hungary
 ORCID ID |
0000-0001-8316-0410 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +36 20 3948183 |
| miklosi.monika@ppk.elte.hu |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Interventional randomized controlled study |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Online parent training for reducing parenting stress during the COVID-19 pandemic: a randomized controlled trial |
| Study objectives | The 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) studied | Parental stress during COVID-19 pandemic |
| Intervention | The 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 type | Behavioural |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
In the parent, according to self-report, measured in four time-points: at baseline, post-treatment, 1- and 3-months follow-up: |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
According to self-report, measured in four time-points: at baseline, post-treatment, 1- and 3-months follow-up: |
| Completion date | 15/12/2020 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Healthy volunteer |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 300 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. 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 criteria | Does not meet inclusion criteria |
| Date of first enrolment | 18/05/2020 |
| Date of final enrolment | 30/11/2020 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Hungary
Study participating centres
Izabella 46
Budapest
1064
Hungary
Budapest
1138
Hungary
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Other |
| IPD sharing plan | All data generated or analysed during this study will be included in the subsequent results publication. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
21/05/2020: Trial’s existence confirmed by Institutional Ethical Committee of the Eötvös Loránd University.
