Virtual Mom Power for Family Support

Overseen By Sarah A Gray, PhD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Tulane University

Disqualifiers: Heart condition, Pacemaker, Autism, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 16

Duration: 10 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to assess the effectiveness of a virtual program called Mom Power, designed to support mothers in building better relationships with their children. The study compares two groups: one receiving group-based sessions focusing on parenting, self-care, and social support, and a control group receiving informational mailings and individual goal-setting sessions. Eligible participants are English-speaking mothers who are the primary caregivers of a child aged 3-5, enrolled in certain public assistance programs, and living in the New Orleans metro area.

As an unphased trial, this study offers mothers a unique opportunity to enhance parenting skills and improve family dynamics.

Do I need to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you have active substance use or psychosis, you may not be eligible to participate.

What prior data suggests that this intervention is safe for families?

Research has shown that Virtual Mom Power, a group program for mothers, is generally well-received. Studies have found no reports of negative effects from this program, which aids in parenting and self-care. Instead, it has improved mental health and parenting skills. Tested with mothers who have faced personal challenges, the program has proven safe for participants. Although specific data on negative side effects is lacking, the evidence suggests it is a safe choice for enhancing parenting and self-care abilities. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Virtual Mom Power because it offers a fresh approach to family support. Unlike traditional parenting programs that might focus solely on parenting techniques, this treatment combines attachment-focused education, self-care, social support, and connection to resources, all delivered in a virtual group setting. It also incorporates individual coaching with motivational interviewing to help mothers set and achieve personal goals and overcome barriers, which is not typically part of standard parenting support. This holistic and flexible delivery method is designed to build a strong community and provide personalized support, making it a promising option for enhancing parenting skills and family well-being.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for family support?

Research has shown that Mom Power, one of the interventions in this trial, benefits mothers at high risk and their young children. Studies confirm that this program can enhance mental health and parenting skills, particularly for those who have experienced trauma. Specifically, Mom Power reduces depression in mothers. The program emphasizes building parenting skills, self-care, and social support, which are crucial for its success. Overall, evidence supports Mom Power as an effective way to improve the well-being of mothers and their children. Meanwhile, the informational control arm of this trial offers mothers virtual informational mailings and individual sessions, focusing on attachment-based parenting and self-care. ^{2 5 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Sarah A Gray, PhD

Principal Investigator

Tulane University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for mothers aged at least 18, living in the New Orleans area with a child aged 3-5. They must be primary caregivers, speak English, and enrolled in certain assistance programs like SNAP or Medicaid. It's not for those with heart conditions, pacemakers, children with autism/global delays, active substance use or psychosis in the mother, or non-biological mothers.

Inclusion Criteria

I am the main person taking care of my child.

Family resides within 8 parish New Orleans metro area

Enrollment status in one of the following services: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP), Medicaid, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), or Head Start

Exclusion Criteria

Either I or my child has been diagnosed with a heart condition.

Child diagnosis of autism or global developmental delay

My mother is not my biological mother.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive a 10-week group-based intervention or 10 weeks of informational mailings, with individual home-based sessions

10 weeks

10 virtual group sessions, 2 individual sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in maternal and child outcomes, including social support, psychopathology, and biobehavioral regulation

6 months

Assessments at post-intervention and 6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Mom Power
• Mom Power Informational Mailing

Trial Overview The study tests 'virtual Mom Power (MP)', a group-based program aimed at helping high-adversity moms and kids by focusing on relationships. Participants will either receive MP or just informational mailings about it to see which helps more.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Treatment Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The experimental arm of Virtual Mom Power is a manualized multi-family group intervention consisting of 10, 90-minute virtual group + 2 individual sessions led by two co-facilitators. The curriculum includes 5 core components: (1) Attachment-Focused Parenting Education; (2) Self-Care; (3) Parenting Practice; (4) Social Support; \& (5) Connection to Resources. Individual sessions combine motivational interviewing with MP core components and focus on identifying goals and barriers. We will work with mothers in individual coaching to problem-solve childcare and privacy during group time. Weekly between-group phone/text check-ins are also a part of the curriculum, used to strengthen connection, build trust, ensure safety, and assess basic needs. Data regarding attendance will be recorded and total dosage examined in treatment effects.

Group II: Informational control Active Control 1 Intervention

The control arm of this study consists of two individual sessions with mothers, along with 10 weeks of virtual informational mailings. The mailings will contain Mom Power curriculum about attachment-based parenting and self-care. The individual sessions will focus on individual goal-setting related to parenting and reflection on the parent-child relationship. The control group does not include the components of social support, affect regulation skills coaching, or guided parent-child interaction that are part of the experimental arm.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Tulane University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

129

Recruited

259,000+

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Collaborator

Trials

3,007

Recruited

2,852,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study involving 800 women, the web-based intervention 'Be a Mom' was found to be acceptable for both high-risk and low-risk new mothers, although only 27.9% of high-risk and 36.3% of low-risk participants completed the program.

Women in the high-risk group reported finding the program more demanding, suggesting that time constraints may hinder completion rates; thus, developing shorter versions and engagement strategies could improve participation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Be a Mom: Patterns of Program Usage and Acceptability Among Women With Low-Risk and High-Risk for Postpartum Depression. Xavier, S., Monteiro, F., Canavarro, MC., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4439267/

Mom Power: Preliminary Outcomes of a Group Intervention ... This study evaluated the effects of Mom Power (MP), a 13-session parenting and self-care skills group program for high-risk mothers and their young children.

2. cebc4cw.org cebc4cw.org/program/mom-power/

CEBC » Program › Mom Power The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Mom Power, a multifamily parenting intervention to improve mental health and parenting among high- ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5709180/

A Community-based Randomized Controlled Trial of Mom ... Results of this CB-RCT confirm the effectiveness of Mom Power for improving mental health and parenting outcomes for high-risk, trauma exposed women with young ...

4. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/270827027_Mom_Power_Preliminary_Outcomes_of_a_Group_Intervention_to_Improve_Mental_Health_and_Parenting_Among_High-Risk_Mothers

Mom Power: Preliminary Outcomes of a Group Intervention ... This study evaluated the effects of Mom Power (MP), a 13-session parenting and self-care skills group program for high-risk mothers and their ...

5. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1048511/full

Randomized pilot trial of the “Mom Power” trauma Taken together, there is evidence that the Mom Power intervention can reduce maternal depression symptoms, particularly for those at highest ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9853992/

Harnessing Virtual Mom Power: Process and Outcomes of a ... We report pilot data from a telehealth adaptation of Mom Power, an evidence-based, attachment-informed multifamily preventive intervention.

7. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15289168.2022.2045464

Harnessing Virtual Mom Power: Process and Outcomes of ... We report pilot data from a telehealth adaptation of Mom Power, an evidence-based, attachment-informed multifamily preventive intervention.

8. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12322603/

Mom Supporting Mom: Effective Peer Support Intervention ... ABSTRACT. Objective: Untreated perinatal mental health disorders can have serious consequences for the whole family system.