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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how a family-focused program can improve sibling relationships among Latino/Hispanic families. It includes two groups: one participating in the SIBS Program, which uses activities and role-playing to strengthen sibling bonds, and another engaging in similar activities without a specific focus on sibling relationships. The program also features family nights where parents learn and interact with their children to better support sibling relationships. Families may qualify if they have a Latino/Hispanic child in the 5th grade with a younger sibling in grades 1-4 attending the same school. As an unphased trial, this study offers families a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could enhance sibling relationships and family dynamics.

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 prior data suggests that the SIBS Program is safe for sibling relationships?

Research has shown that families have responded positively to the SIBS Program in past studies. For instance, mothers reported they would recommend it to similar families. Siblings who participated also enjoyed the program. The program aims to improve communication between parents and children, helping siblings manage emotions and understand medical conditions more clearly. It seeks to prevent mental health issues in siblings of children with long-term illnesses and has shown promising results. Research has reported no serious side effects, suggesting the program is safe and well-tolerated by participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the SIBS Program because it focuses on improving sibling relationships through a unique blend of psycho-educational activities and family involvement. Unlike traditional counseling or therapy that typically centers on individual children or parents, this program emphasizes group sessions for siblings and includes family nights to actively engage parents. This approach not only aims to enhance sibling interactions but also equips parents with strategies to support these relationships, offering a comprehensive and holistic method for addressing sibling dynamics.

What evidence suggests that the SIBS Program is effective for promoting positive sibling relationships?

Research has shown that the SIBS Program, which participants in this trial may receive, positively affects sibling relationships. Studies have found that this program improves siblings' mental health and enhances communication between parents and children. Participants have reported better relationship quality and social skills. The program also helps children develop self-control and social skills, facilitating easier interactions with others. Families who participated in the program expressed high satisfaction, indicating it effectively supports positive sibling interactions. ^{4 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Adriana J Umana-Taylor, PhD

Principal Investigator

Harvard University

Kimberly A Updegraff, PhD

Principal Investigator

Arizona State University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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 for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12206298/

Effectiveness of a group intervention to improve mental ... The SIBS intervention demonstrated small, consistent positive effects on sibling mental health and parent–child communication.

2. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10826-024-02824-z

Evaluation of Siblings' Perceived Relationship Outcomes ... We conclude that change in relationship quality may be part of the positive outcomes of the SIBS intervention and is mainly explained by ...

3. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-8-2018-f7f0c

SIBS Program for Positive Sibling Relationships (SIBS Trial) The current study is a randomized intervention trial that tests the efficacy of a family-focused sibling relationship promotion program.

4. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23298985/

Siblings are special: initial test of a new approach ... - PubMed Results: The program enhanced positive sibling relationships, appropriate strategies for parenting siblings, and child self-control, social competence, and ...

5. liebertpub.com liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/dtom.2024.0004

Satisfaction of an Online Program for Siblings and Parents ... One hundred percent of mothers reported that they would recommend SIBS-ONLINE to similar families. For siblings, 100% reported enjoying the ...

6. liebertpub.com liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/dtom.2024.0004

Satisfaction of an Online Program for Siblings and Parents ... One hundred percent of mothers reported that they would recommend SIBS-ONLINE to similar families. For siblings, 100% reported enjoying the ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10551885/

The development of SIBS-ONLINE, a group-based video ... The aim of SIBS is to strengthen parent-child communication, and thereby improve psychological adjustment and diagnostic knowledge in siblings. In an open trial ...

8. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/379728763_Evaluation_of_Siblings'_Perceived_Relationship_Outcomes_with_Their_Parents_in_an_Open_Trial_of_the_SIBS_Intervention_for_Children_with_Chronic_Disorders

Evaluation of Siblings' Perceived Relationship Outcomes ... The SIBS intervention aims to prevent mental health problems for siblings of children with chronic disorders and has shown promising results.

9. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12206301/

Siblings in families of children with chronic disorders: a model ... We used baseline data from a sibling intervention trial (SIBS-RCT) comprising 288 families with siblings aged 8–16 years and their parents, ...