Family Foundations Program for New Parents

(FF2 Trial)

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Penn State University

Disqualifiers: Not first child

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to evaluate how well the Family Foundations Coparenting Program helps new parents adjust to life with a baby. Researchers seek to understand the program's impact on how couples collaborate as parents and manage the challenges of having their first child. Expectant parents living with their partner and planning to raise the child together may be suitable candidates for this trial. In the study, some couples will participate in the program while others will not, allowing for a comparison of different experiences. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could enhance support for new parents.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that the Family Foundations Coparenting Program is safe for new parents?

Research has shown that the Family Foundations Coparenting Program is generally safe for participants. Designed to help couples adjust to having a new baby, the program encourages teamwork and improves well-being. Studies have not reported any negative effects or safety issues, aligning with the program's focus on education rather than medical treatments or drugs. As an educational initiative, the Family Foundations Program is well-received by participants, making it a safe choice for couples expecting a baby. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Family Foundations Coparenting Program because it focuses on strengthening the partnership between new parents, which is often overlooked in traditional parenting programs. Unlike standard options that primarily target parenting skills, this program specifically supports couples in their coparenting roles, aiming to enhance the family dynamic from the start. By fostering better communication and collaboration between parents, it has the potential to improve long-term family well-being and child development.

What evidence suggests that the Family Foundations Coparenting Program is effective for new parents?

Research has shown that the Family Foundations Coparenting Program, provided to participants in the intervention group of this trial, helps families adjust after a new baby is born. Parents in the program improve their teamwork, known as coparental support. Studies also found that mothers experienced less depression and anxiety, leading to better mental well-being. Additionally, the program strengthened the bond between parents and their babies. Overall, the program eases family life during this challenging time. ^{1 4 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for couples who are expecting their first child, living together, and planning to raise the child jointly. Both partners must be at least 18 years old.

Inclusion Criteria

Expecting first child

Couple living together and planning to raise child together

Exclusion Criteria

Not first child

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Couples in the Intervention Group received the Family Foundations Coparenting Program

Up to 2.5 years

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for coparenting quality, aggressive parenting, and cardiovascular disease risk

8 years

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Family Foundations Coparenting Program

Trial Overview The study is testing the Family Foundations program's effectiveness in helping families adjust to having a new baby and improving parent-child relationships.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Couples randomly assigned to the Intervention Group received the Family Foundations Coparenting Program.

Group II: Control Group Active Control 1 Intervention

Couples in the Control group did not receive the Family Foundations Coparenting Program.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Penn State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

380

Recruited

131,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The Family Foundations Home Visiting program, adapted for low-income parents, showed significant improvements in mental health outcomes, such as reduced depression and PTSD symptoms, for both mothers and fathers after completing the intervention.

Parents who participated in the program also exhibited increased affection, engagement, and sensitivity towards their infants, suggesting that enhancing coparenting can positively impact child development, similar to results seen in more affluent families.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Promoting parenting in home visiting: A CACE analysis of Family Foundations. Ammerman, RT., Peugh, JL., Teeters, AR., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. blueprintsprograms.org blueprintsprograms.org/programs/441999999/family-foundations/

Family Foundations Indeed, program evaluation data suggests that families enrolled in the program have demonstrated better birth outcomes (for mothers at risk ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3683104/

The Effects of the Family Foundations Prevention Program on ... These effects accounted for between 39 and 55% of the intervention's impact on child adjustment problems. Coparenting positivity did not mediate program effects ...

3. cebc4cw.org cebc4cw.org/program/family-foundations/detailed

CEBC » Family Foundations › Program › Detailed Results indicate that FF participants displayed significant improvement on coparental support, maternal depression and anxiety, distress in the parent-child ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3178882/

Intervention Effects on Coparenting, Parent/Infant Well-Being ... Intent-to-treat analyses indicated significant program effects on coparental support, maternal depression and anxiety, distress in the parent–child relationship ...

5. foundations.org.uk foundations.org.uk/toolkit/guidebook/family-foundations/

Family Foundations Study 1 · Reduced mother-reported depression symptoms (Mother report) · Reduced mother-reported anxiety symptoms (Mother report) · Increased father-reported ...

6. preventionservices.acf.hhs.gov preventionservices.acf.hhs.gov/programs/807/show

Family Foundations Family Foundations (FF) is a parenting education program designed for couples expecting their first child. FF aims to help couples develop a team approach ...

7. onlinelibrary.wiley.com onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/fare.12438

Co‐Parenting Programs: A Systematic Review and Meta‐ ... This article aims to provide an overview of the efficacy of co-parenting programs on outcomes related to child's adjustment, parents' well-being, and quality ...

8. psu.edu psu.edu/news/research/story/family-foundations-helps-support-military-families-expecting-their-first-child

Family Foundations helps support military ... Using pre-test data from pregnancy and post-test data from six months after birth, positive program effects were found for parent depression, ...