Comparing parent-only and parent-child group programs to reduce aggression in Hong Kong schoolchildren
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN17582705 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN17582705 |
| Sponsor | City University of Hong Kong |
| Funder | Research Grants Council, University Grants Committee |
- Submission date
- 30/01/2026
- Registration date
- 02/02/2026
- Last edited
- 02/02/2026
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Aggressive behaviour and bullying are serious problems for some schoolchildren. This research study tested two different types of group programs designed to help parents manage their child's aggression. We wanted to see if a program involving both parents and children together was more effective than a program for parents only.
Who can participate?
We invited children aged 5-12 years from Hong Kong primary schools who showed higher levels of aggressive behaviour, along with one of their parents.
What does the study involve?
Families were randomly placed into one of three groups: 1) Parent-only group (7 weekly sessions), 2) Parent-child group (7 weekly sessions together), or 3) A waiting list group (no immediate sessions). The sessions taught parents about different types of aggression and skills to improve parenting and the parent-child relationship. Families filled out questionnaires before, immediately after, and 6 months after the program.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Potential benefits included learning new parenting skills and possibly reducing child aggression. A potential risk was the time commitment required. All information was kept confidential.
Where is the study run from?
Sessions were held at participating schools in Hong Kong.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
The study recruited families between July and December 2022. The intervention lasted 7 weeks, with follow-up 6 months later.
Who is funding the study?
The Research Grants Council of Hong Kong (General Research Fund, project number 11600020).
Who is the main contact?
Dr Annis Lai Chu Fung (annis.fung@cityu.edu.hk)
Contact information
Principal investigator, Public, Scientific
Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong
000
Hong Kong
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-5920-4003 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +852-34422923 |
| annis.fung@cityu.edu.hk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional | |
|---|---|---|
| Allocation | Randomized controlled trial | |
| Masking | Open (masking not used) | |
| Control | Active | |
| Assignment | Parallel | |
| Purpose | Treatment | |
| Scientific title | A randomized controlled trial on the effectiveness of parent-only and parent-child conjoint group interventions in reducing reactive and proactive aggression among schoolchildren in Hong Kong | |
| Study objectives | This randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of social learning theory-based group interventions designed to reduce reactive and proactive aggression in schoolchildren by enhancing parental efficacy and improving parenting styles. Primary Objective: To compare the effectiveness of a parent-only intervention, a parent-child conjoint intervention, and a waitlist control group in reducing children's reactive aggression, proactive aggression, and general aggression over time (baseline, post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up). Secondary Objective: To examine the impact of both interventions on key parenting constructs, including parenting practices (positive parenting, inconsistent discipline, poor supervision) and parenting styles (warmth, control, guan). | |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 27/03/2020, Human Subjects Ethics Sub-Committee (Research Grants & Contracts Office, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 000, Hong Kong; +852 34426856; roger@cityu.edu.hk), ref: 3-12-202003-02 | |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Childhood aggression; Reactive aggression; Proactive aggression; Behavioral problems | |
| Intervention | This is a three-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial with a waitlist control condition. Shortlisted families who meet the inclusion criteria are enrolled and randomly assigned to one of three conditions using a random number sequence: 1. Parent-Only Intervention Group 2. Parent-Child Conjoint Intervention Group 3. Waitlist Control Group Both active interventions consist of seven weekly sessions, each lasting two hours, held on Saturdays at the participants' schools. Sessions are led by two registered social workers with specific training and experience. The intervention is based on Social Learning Theory and targets the distinct features of reactive aggression (e.g., hostile attribution bias, poor anger control) and proactive aggression (e.g., lack of empathy, reward-driven behavior). Parent-Only Group: One parent from each family attends the sessions. Content focuses on psychoeducation about aggression subtypes, enhancing awareness of parenting style impacts, and training in skills to manage child aggression (e.g., reducing hostile attribution, facilitating emotion regulation, enhancing empathy and perspective-taking). Techniques include role-play, group discussion, and reflective feedback. Parents are assigned weekly behavioral tasks to practice at home. Parent-Child Conjoint Group: One parent and their child attend the sessions together. The content mirrors the parent-only curriculum but is delivered interactively, with joint activities, role-plays, and real-time coaching of parenting skills within the parent-child dyad. This allows for direct modeling, immediate feedback, and practice of new relational dynamics. Waitlist Control Group: Families in this group receive no intervention during the study period but complete all assessments. They are offered the opportunity to join the parent-only group in the following semester. | |
| Intervention type | Behavioural | |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
| |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) | ||
| Completion date | 31/08/2023 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | |
|---|---|
| Age group | Child |
| Lower age limit | 5 Years |
| Upper age limit | 12 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 200 |
| Total final enrolment | 166 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Child enrolled in grades 1-6 at a participating Hong Kong elementary school 2. Child scored above the school median on the Reactive-Proactive Aggression Questionnaire (RPQ) 3. At least one parent willing to attend a weekly 2-hour group session for 7 weeks 4. Family is local Hong Kong Cantonese-speaking |
| Key exclusion criteria | Formal diagnosis of intellectual disability, dyslexia, or autism spectrum disorder |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/07/2022 |
| Date of final enrolment | 31/12/2022 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Hong Kong
Study participating centres
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not expected to be made available |
| IPD sharing plan |
Editorial Notes
02/02/2026: Trial's existence confirmed by City University of Hong Kong.
