Parent Group Discussion for Parent-Child Relationship

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Oregon

Disqualifiers: Living outside Oregon, Non-English speakers, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

240 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether a 2-hour group discussion for parents and caregivers, called "Conversations With Caregivers About Health and Appearance," can address issues like disordered eating and mood problems for both them and their adolescent children. It also examines whether these conversations can enhance the quality of the parent-child relationship. The trial includes two groups: one participating in a remote group session and another waiting to join after data collection. Parents or caregivers living in Oregon, caring for a 12-17-year-old, and having internet access might be suitable candidates. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding and improving family dynamics and mental health.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

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

What prior data suggests that this group discussion is safe for participants?

Research has shown that effective communication between parents and children leads to improved well-being and healthier eating habits in kids. In this trial, parents and caregivers will participate in a 2-hour group discussion aimed at helping them discuss health and appearance with their children in a supportive manner.

This session is non-invasive, posing no physical risks. As the trial centers on conversation, it is generally safe. No negative effects have been reported, as the focus on enhancing communication skills is typically well-received. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Parent Group Discussion intervention because it offers a unique approach to enhancing parent-child relationships through a single, interactive, remote group session. Unlike traditional parenting classes that may require multiple sessions or in-person attendance, this method is convenient and accessible, as it can be completed in one two-hour session from home. This approach emphasizes open conversations about health and appearance, potentially leading to improved family dynamics and better understanding between parents and children. By focusing on remote delivery, this intervention could provide support to a broader audience, reaching families who might otherwise face barriers to accessing traditional parenting resources.

What evidence suggests that this group discussion is effective for improving parent-child relationships?

Research has shown that good communication between parents and children can lead to better outcomes for kids. A review found that when parents talk warmly and openly, kids generally do better. Evidence also indicates that programs designed to help parents can improve their interactions with their children and support child development. Additionally, programs aimed at enhancing parenting practices have successfully strengthened parent-child relationships and reduced parental stress. This trial includes an intervention arm where participants engage in a single 2-hour, remotely delivered interactive group parenting session focused on discussing health and appearance. This suggests that such a focused session might improve well-being for both parents and children. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for parents and caregivers of adolescents in Oregon who may be experiencing symptoms related to disordered eating, mood issues like depression, or challenges in the parent-child relationship. Specific eligibility details are not provided.

Inclusion Criteria

Parent/caregiver must be living in the state of Oregon

Parent/caregiver must be able to read and understand English at the 6th grade level or higher

Parent/caregiver must have access to internet and private space for zoom

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

A single 2-hour, remote delivered interactive group parenting session

1 day

1 visit (virtual)

Wait-list Control

Participants in the wait-list control group will receive the same intervention after data collection ends

1 month

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in disordered eating symptoms, mood symptoms, and parent-child relationship quality

1 month

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Conversations With Caregivers About Health and Appearance

Trial Overview

The study is testing if a 2-hour group discussion with other parents and caregivers can help reduce their own disordered eating and mood symptoms, as well as improve the quality of their relationship with their child.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

a single 2-hour, remote delivered interactive group parenting session

Group II: Wait-list control Active Control 1 Intervention

wait-list control group will receive the same intervention after data collection ends

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Oregon

Lead Sponsor

Trials

91

Recruited

46,700+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A qualitative study involving 12 parents and 15 public health practitioners found that new guidance on discussing weight with children was perceived as acceptable, relevant, and helpful, potentially reducing stigma and blame associated with the topic.

The guidance provided reassurance and increased confidence among parents by offering practical tips and case studies, although suggestions for improvement included tailoring the advice for lower-income families and differentiating guidance for parents of younger versus older children.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The acceptability of evidence-informed guidance for parents in talking to their children about weight. Baber, F., Gillison, FB., Grey, EB.[2023]

The study involved nine focus groups with a total of 61 participants, including adolescents and their parents, revealing three main approaches to discussing weight: indirect/cautious, direct/open, and never/rarely discussing weight.

Both adolescents and parents preferred indirect approaches to discussing weight, focusing on behaviors rather than direct conversations about weight, indicating a need for sensitive communication strategies in weight management interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adolescent-parent interactions and communication preferences regarding body weight and weight management: a qualitative study. Shrewsbury, VA., King, LA., Hattersley, LA., et al.[2018]

Positive parent-child communication about health, characterized by warmth and openness, is linked to better health outcomes for children, while negative communication can lead to poorer outcomes.

Interventions aimed at improving parent-child health discussions, such as media campaigns and supportive strategies, show mixed results, but single directive messages can effectively increase communication frequency.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A systematic review of the evidence on the effect of parental communication about health and health behaviours on children's health and wellbeing. Grey, EB., Atkinson, L., Chater, A., et al.[2022]

Parents of adolescents with visible differences often choose specific settings to discuss appearance issues, typically when their child shows emotional distress or needs support.

Open communication about appearance can help parents understand their adolescent's feelings and improve their psychosocial adjustment, highlighting the need for resources to support these conversations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

"It's tough because I see that it's upsetting her…": A qualitative exploration of parents' perceptions of talking with their adolescents about having a visible difference. Zelihić, D., Williamson, H., Kling, J., et al.[2021]

Parents play a crucial role in managing their child's chronic health condition, often being the primary caregivers present at medical appointments and procedures throughout childhood and adolescence.

Through interviews with 35 parents, the study revealed that parents actively strategize their communication about their child's health, which significantly impacts family adaptation and adjustment to the child's condition.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

"I Will Communicate With You, But Let Me Be In Control": Understanding How Parents Manage Private Information About Their Chronically Ill Children. Rafferty, KA., Hutton, K., Heller, S.[2020]

Health professionals in pediatric settings recognize the need for better psychosocial support for children with visible differences, highlighting a gap in current care practices.

Online platforms could enhance access to specialist support for appearance-related concerns, suggesting a shift towards integrating more comprehensive psychosocial resources in routine healthcare.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Opening a Pandora's Box that can't be salvaged: Health professionals' perceptions of appearance-related care in an Australian pediatric specialist hospital. Gee, C., Maskell, J., Newcombe, P., et al.[2020]

Frequent comments from mothers about their daughters' weight are linked to higher levels of depression, extreme weight control behaviors, and binge eating among adolescent girls, based on a study of 218 mother-daughter pairs.

Mothers discussing their own weight negatively impacts their daughters' self-worth and increases depressive symptoms, suggesting that reducing weight-related conversations could promote healthier behaviors and mental health in adolescent girls.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mother-reported parental weight talk and adolescent girls' emotional health, weight control attempts, and disordered eating behaviors. Bauer, KW., Bucchianeri, MM., Neumark-Sztainer, D.[2021]

Parents of children with cancer have evolving information needs throughout their child's illness, with 100% of parents discussing their child's disease and treatment, and 100% also addressing their own emotional management.

Fathers were more likely to raise concerns about the child's emotional management and treatment consequences compared to mothers, highlighting the importance of tailoring information to meet the specific needs of each parent.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

What Was on the Parents' Minds? Changes Over Time in Topics of Person-Centred Information for Mothers and Fathers of Children with Cancer. Ringnér, A., Björk, M., Olsson, C.[2023]

In a study of 223 children aged 2 to 17, many parents (70%) recognized their child's overweight status through visual sketches rather than verbal acknowledgment, indicating a gap in awareness about their child's weight.

Parents of older children (aged 6 and above) were more likely to identify their child as overweight and express concern, especially if they perceived their child as less active or recalled a doctor's concern, highlighting the importance of medical guidance in parental awareness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Parents' perceptions of their child's weight and health. Eckstein, KC., Mikhail, LM., Ariza, AJ., et al.[2022]

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