SIBS Program for Positive Sibling Relationships

(SIBS Trial)

Overseen By Adriana J Umana-Taylor, PhD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Harvard University

Disqualifiers: Special education enrollment

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 30

Duration: 16 weeks

270 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The current study is a randomized intervention trial that tests the efficacy of a family-focused sibling relationship promotion program. The study includes a treatment group and a contact-equivalent attention control condition with 288 sibling dyads and data collection with target parents, target sibling dyads, and teachers at three time points (pre-test, post-test, and 18-month follow-up). Data will be collected using a three-cohort design with 96 families in each of the three cohorts.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the SIBS Program treatment for positive sibling relationships?

Research on the SIBS Program shows promising results in preventing psychological difficulties in siblings of children with chronic disorders, suggesting it may help improve sibling relationships. Additionally, similar interventions like the ISEE program have shown positive outcomes in supporting siblings of chronically ill children. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How is the SIBS Program treatment different from other treatments for improving sibling relationships?

The SIBS Program is unique because it focuses on enhancing sibling relationships through structured afterschool sessions and family nights, targeting both children's relationship skills and parenting strategies. Unlike other treatments, it specifically aims to improve sibling dynamics and parenting involvement, making it a novel approach for fostering positive family interactions. ^{1 5 6 7 8}

Research Team

Adriana J Umana-Taylor, PhD

Principal Investigator

Harvard University

Kimberly A Updegraff, PhD

Principal Investigator

Arizona State University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for Latino/Hispanic families with a 5th grader and a younger sibling in grades 1-4, both enrolled in the same participating elementary school. It's not for children who are in self-contained special education settings.

Inclusion Criteria

The child being studied must be of Latino/Hispanic descent.

Target child has to have a younger sibling enrolled in the same school in the 1st through 4th grade

Target child and younger sibling have to be enrolled students in a participating elementary school.

Exclusion Criteria

Enrollment in a self-contained special education setting

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in 12 weekly 90-minute afterschool group sessions and 3 family nights focusing on sibling relationship skills and family dynamics

16 weeks

12 weekly sessions, 3 family nights

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for program effects on family dynamics and psychosocial well-being

18 months

Assessments at pre-test, post-test, and 18-month follow-up

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Control
• SIBS Program

Trial Overview The study tests the SIBS Program aimed at improving sibling relationships against a control group that receives equal attention but no specific intervention. Data from parents, siblings, and teachers will be collected before, after, and 18 months post-program.

Participant Groups

Group I: SIBS Program Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The program condition includes 12 weekly 90-minute afterschool group sessions for siblings. Sessions are structured as psycho-educational groups and include social interactional activities, role-playing, discussion, and didactic presentation. The focus is on sibling relationship skills, cognitions, and activities. During a total of 3 family nights, parents attend with their children. Part of the family night session involves parents and children together. Another part of the session involves parents being separated from children. Family Nights promote parents' understanding of sibling relationships, review concepts, provide strategies for parental support of siblings, and teach parents skills for dealing with sibling problems. Family Nights include dinner and last 2 hours.

Group II: Contact-Equivalent Attention Control Placebo Group 1 Intervention

The Contact-Equivalent Attention Control condition includes 12 weekly 90-minute afterschool group sessions for siblings led by two co-leaders. Students work on educational games and activities. Groups begin with an icebreaker and continue with games and projects. This condition also includes 3 family nights, where parents attend with their children. Activities of the Family Nights include children showing their parents the activities they have been engaging in during the sessions. Family Nights include dinner and last 2 hours. Part of the family night session involves parents and children together. Another part of the session involves parents being separated from children; during this part, parents will break out with one group leader, and siblings will work with the other group leader.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Harvard University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

237

Recruited

588,000+

Findings from Research

The Safe Sibs online training program significantly improved older siblings' knowledge about supervision and safety practices, as shown in a randomized controlled trial with older children (ages 7-11) and their younger siblings (ages 2-5).

Participants in the intervention group demonstrated enhanced supervision behaviors, particularly in proactive safety measures to prevent younger siblings from accessing injury hazards, indicating the program's effectiveness in promoting safer sibling supervision.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Training Older Siblings to be Better Supervisors: An RCT Evaluating the "Safe Sibs" Program. Schell, SL., Morrongiello, BA., Pogrebtsova, E.[2018]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Training Older Siblings to be Better Supervisors: An RCT Evaluating the "Safe Sibs" Program. [2018]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Guidelines for assistance to siblings of children with cancer: report of the SIOP Working Committee on Psychosocial Issues in Pediatric Oncology. [2019]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Outcomes of a nursing intervention for siblings of chronically ill children: a pilot study. [2019]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Siblings of paediatric cancer patients: a population at risk. [2019]

5. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The development of SIBS-ONLINE, a group-based video conference intervention for siblings of children with chronic disorders and their parents. [2023]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Family-focused prevention with Latinos: What about sisters and brothers? [2021]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Enhancing sibling relationships to prevent adolescent problem behaviors: theory, design and feasibility of Siblings Are Special. [2021]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sibshops: an evaluation of an interagency model. [2019]