Online Program for Parenting Communication

Overseen By Tracy M Scull, PhD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Innovation Research & Training

Disqualifiers: Multiple children, Diversity criteria, others

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

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if an online program helps parents discuss important topics like body image, sexual development, and media with their children, ages 9-12. Participants will be divided into two groups: one will use the Media Aware Parent - Tween program, while the other will receive medically accurate information on these topics. The trial seeks parents who are legal guardians of children in this age range, have internet access on a smartphone, and are open to email and text communication. Participants should be fluent in English and willing to provide the child with privacy to complete questionnaires. As an unphased trial, this study offers parents a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could enhance communication with their children on critical topics.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

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

What prior data suggests that this online program is safe for parents and children?

Research has shown that the Media Aware Parent - Tween program is safe. This online tool aids parents in discussing important topics like body image and media with their children. Studies have found that it enhances communication between parents and kids. No reports indicate any harmful effects from using this program. Since the program focuses on improving family conversations rather than medical treatment, safety concerns are minimal. Overall, the program is well-received and positively impacts family interactions. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Media Aware Parent - Tween program because it offers a new way for parents to engage their tweens in conversations about important topics like body image and gender stereotypes, using an online platform. Unlike traditional resources that might just provide information, this program is interactive and designed specifically for parents of kids aged 9-12, helping to foster open and effective communication. This approach not only aims to improve understanding between parents and children but also empowers parents to address sensitive issues confidently, potentially leading to healthier family dynamics.

What evidence suggests that the Media Aware Parent - Tween program is effective for improving parent-child communication about health and media?

This trial will compare the Media Aware Parent - Tween program with an active control resource. Research has shown that the Media Aware Parent - Tween program helps parents and their tweens communicate more effectively. Studies have found that this online program improves conversations about topics like body image and media influences. Data from over 300 families suggest these benefits last for at least six months. The program also helps tweens better understand family media rules, making it easier for them to discuss these topics. Overall, these findings highlight the program's potential to enhance parent-child communication. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for parents of children aged 9-12. It's designed to help them communicate effectively with their kids about health, gender, body image, and relationships. Parents must have regular internet access to participate.

Inclusion Criteria

The parent must be able and willing to receive email and text communication as part of the study

Both the adult and child must agree to participate

The parent-child pair must have access to a smartphone with internet connection as the resource review will be completed online in a format that is best viewed on a smartphone

Exclusion Criteria

Only one parent-child pair per family may participate in the study

I will choose my youngest (or oldest) child aged 9-12 to participate based on my last name.

My participation may depend on my gender and race for diversity.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Pre-test Assessment

Participants complete a web-based pre-test questionnaire

1 week

1 visit (virtual)

Intervention

Participants access their assigned resource: either the Media Aware Parent - Tween program or the active control resource

4 weeks

Post-test Assessment

Participants complete a web-based post-test questionnaire to assess changes from the pre-test

1 week

1 visit (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in communication and media awareness after the intervention

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Media Aware Parent - Tween

Trial Overview The study is testing 'Media Aware Parent - Tween,' an online program aimed at improving parent-child communication in the context of media influence on health and social topics versus a standard resource.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention Program: Media Aware Parent -Tween Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will have access to an intervention between pre-test and post-test assessments. The intervention, Media Aware Parent -Tween, is an online program for parents of tweens ages 9-12 designed to help parents have effective conversations with their child about body image, sexual development, gender stereotypes, romantic relationships, and media.

Group II: Active Control Resource Active Control 1 Intervention

Parents will have access to medically-accurate information about topics such as body image, sexual development, gender stereotypes, and romantic relationships.

Media Aware Parent - Tween is already approved in United States for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Media Aware Parent for:

• Educational support for parent-adolescent communication about sexual health and media literacy

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Innovation Research & Training

Lead Sponsor

Trials

13

Recruited

7,700+

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

Collaborator

Trials

2,103

Recruited

2,760,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A web-based program called Media Aware Parent significantly improved parents' media-related attitudes and adolescents' awareness of family media rules, with effects sustained for 6 months after the intervention in a study involving 375 parent-adolescent pairs.

While some positive impacts on parent-adolescent communication and adolescent sexual health outcomes diminished over time, the program did lead to lasting changes in parent behavior, indicating a need for ongoing support to maintain high-quality discussions about sex and media.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Six-Month Outcome Evaluation of Media Aware Parent, a Parent-Based Media Mediation and Sexual Health Communication Program to Promote Adolescent Sexual Health. Dodson, CV., Scull, T., Schoemann, AM.[2023]

The Media Aware Parent program significantly improved the quality of communication between parents and their adolescents about sex and relationships, as reported by both parties in a study involving 355 parent-child pairs.

Adolescents who participated in the program reported greater understanding of parental expectations regarding sexual activity, increased self-efficacy in using contraception, and improved media literacy skills, indicating a positive impact on their sexual health outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluating the Short-term Impact of Media Aware Parent, a Web-based Program for Parents with the Goal of Adolescent Sexual Health Promotion. M Scull, T., V Malik, C., M Keefe, E., et al.[2020]

Parents who received enhanced support alongside watching a reality TV series on parenting reported greater improvements in their child's disruptive behavior and parenting practices compared to those who only watched the series, indicating that additional resources can boost the effectiveness of such interventions.

Both groups maintained their improvements in child behavior and parenting practices six months after the intervention, suggesting that the effects of the program are lasting, especially for families who engaged with all episodes of the series.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Does self-directed and web-based support for parents enhance the effects of viewing a reality television series based on the Triple P-Positive Parenting Programme? Sanders, M., Calam, R., Durand, M., et al.[2022]

A 6-week media literacy-based intervention involving 189 parent-child pairs significantly improved family discussions about food nutrition, leading to healthier food choices at home and increased consumption of fruits and vegetables among youth.

The intervention empowered parents and enhanced youths' critical thinking skills, effectively reducing the negative impact of food marketing and promoting better dietary decisions within families.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Family-Centered Media Literacy Training on Family Nutrition Outcomes. Austin, EW., Austin, BW., Kaiser, CK.[2021]

Parents use various strategies to mediate their children's digital media use, including restrictive mediation, active mediation, co-media use, technical monitoring, and participatory learning, each having different impacts on children and adolescents.

The effectiveness of these mediation strategies varies by media type and age group, highlighting the need for tailored approaches and further research to understand their impact, especially regarding issues like cyberbullying.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Adolescent Use of Digital Media and Parental Mediation - A Research Review]. Pfetsch, J.[2018]

A family-centered intervention involving 189 parent-child pairs improved nutrition-related behaviors, such as increased use of nutrition labels by parents and higher fruit and vegetable consumption among children aged 9-14.

The program effectively enhanced media literacy skills and family communication about food, demonstrating that families can use media positively to make healthier nutrition choices, rather than solely focusing on reducing screen time.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Media Literacy-Based Nutrition Program Fosters Parent-Child Food Marketing Discussions, Improves Home Food Environment, and Youth Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables. Austin, EW., Austin, B., Kaiser, CK., et al.[2021]

A web-based educational course for parents of adolescents, involving 20 participants, was found to be feasible and effective in enhancing parental mediation strategies for Internet use.

The intervention led to increased parental awareness, openness, and familiarity with technology, suggesting it can positively support parents in guiding their children's media education.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility and Early Outcomes of a Parent Training Intervention to Engage Parents in Children's Media Education. Cavallini, MC., Caravita, SCS., Fandrem, H.[2023]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10080721/

A six-month outcome evaluation of Media Aware Parent ... Short-term impacts of Media Aware Parent include enhanced parent–adolescent communication quality, increased adolescent awareness of family media rules, and ...

2. irtinc.us irtinc.us/journal-of-health-communication-publishes-irts-new-research-on-media-aware-parent/

Journal of Health Communication Publishes iRT's New ... According to data collected from over 300 families participating in the Media Aware Parent evaluation study, several of the positive effects of ...

3. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10810730.2023.2165741

A Six-Month Outcome Evaluation of Media Aware Parent ... This study analyzed the impact of Media Aware Parent 6 months after pretest. Several outcomes significant at one-month posttest were sustained ...

4. mediaawareparent.com mediaawareparent.com/

Media Aware Parent: Home Media Aware Parent has been shown to: Improve quality of communication between parents and their teens (as rated by parents and youth).

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6732223/

Evaluating the Short-term Impact of Media Aware Parent, a ... This study revealed that a parenting program designed to improve parent-adolescent communication about sex and relationships enhanced the general quality of ...

6. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/334454225_Evaluating_the_Short-term_Impact_of_Media_Aware_Parent_a_Web-based_Program_for_Parents_with_the_Goal_of_Adolescent_Sexual_Health_Promotion

Evaluating the Short-term Impact of Media Aware Parent, a ... The present study assessed the short-term effects of Media Aware Parent on parent–adolescent communication, adolescent sexual health outcomes, and media-related ...