Online Parenting Program for Families of Middle School Students

(FCO Trial)

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Arizona State University

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests an online parenting program called Family Check-Up Online, designed to assist parents of middle school students in Arizona. The researchers aim to determine how the program, offering either informational support or guidance coaching, can benefit families by improving parenting skills. Parents with a child in grades 6-8 at participating Title 1 public schools are invited to join. Participants will complete surveys before and after using the online program and may have the option to meet with a coach for additional support. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity for parents to enhance their skills and contribute directly to valuable research in family support.

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

The trial does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications, but it seems unlikely since the study focuses on an online parenting program.

What prior data suggests that the Family Check-Up Online Program is safe for families?

Research has shown that the Family Check-Up Online program is safe and easy for participants to use. Studies have found that the program helps parents feel less stressed and more confident in their parenting. It also helps reduce emotional problems in children. No known negative effects have been associated with using the Family Check-Up Online program. Participants in past studies did not report any adverse experiences related to the program itself. Therefore, it appears to be a safe choice for families wanting to improve their parenting skills and family relationships. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Online Parenting Program because it offers new ways to support parents of middle schoolers, who often face unique challenges. Unlike traditional parenting support that might require in-person meetings, this program provides flexibility through online informational support and guidance coaching. The informational support option allows parents to reach out for help and answers at their convenience, while the guidance coaching offers personalized check-ins via phone or Zoom to set goals and motivate parents using motivational interviewing techniques. These features make the program accessible and tailored to individual needs, potentially leading to more effective and lasting behavioral changes in parenting.

What evidence suggests that the Family Check-Up Online program is effective for parents of middle school students?

Research has shown that the Family Check-Up Online program improves parenting skills. Studies have found that parents using this program provide better support for good behavior, set clearer limits, and engage in more proactive parenting. Another study found that the program reduces caregiver stress and boosts parents' confidence in their parenting abilities. These benefits appeared as soon as three months after starting the program. While the program didn't directly change outcomes for children, it did help parents manage their children's behavior better. In this trial, participants will be assigned to different support arms, such as Informational Support or Guidance Coaching, to further explore the program's impact. Overall, the Family Check-Up Online program has shown positive effects on parenting strategies and reducing parental stress. ^{3 4 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for parents with a child in grades 6-8 at Title 1 public schools in Arizona. It's designed to help them through an online parenting program called Family Check-Up, which includes optional coaching sessions.

Inclusion Criteria

I am a parent of a child in grades 6-8 at a Title 1 public school.

Exclusion Criteria

N/A

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Pre-survey and Program Access

Participants complete an online pre-survey and gain access to the Family Check-Up Online Program

1 week

1 visit (online)

Program Participation

Participants engage with the Family Check-Up Online Program and have the option to meet with a coach for guidance

12 weeks

1-3 visits (virtual, optional)

Post-survey

Participants complete a post-survey to assess outcomes of the program

1 week

1 visit (online)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for improvements in parenting practices and reductions in emotional distress

3 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Family Check-Up Online

Trial Overview The trial tests the Family Check-Up Online Program's effectiveness for parents of middle schoolers. Participants will fill out surveys before and after accessing the program and can choose to discuss it with a coach.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Informational Support Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Parents will be told that they have the option of contacting an informational support specialist any point while completing the program to address questions and discuss the program. Parents will be informed that their questions can be addressed via e-mail or alternatively they can schedule a time to talk with their coach via phone or Zoom. The informational support specialist will not initiate contact with parents in this condition.

Group II: Guidance Coaching Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Parents will be informed that they have been assigned a guidance coach who will contact them via email to schedule 1-3 check-in meetings over the phone or via Zoom while they complete the online program. These meetings are structured to help establish parental goals for the program, offer emotional support, and help motivate parents to implement new parenting skills. During these contacts, coaches use motivational interviewing techniques to help promote and support behavioral change. These coaching contacts are designed to be brief and focused, and typically last for less than 30 minutes. Coach contacts are scheduled based on the parents' availability and interest, and additional coaching sessions can be requested by the parent at any point during the program.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Arizona State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

311

Recruited

109,000+

Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

2,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A web-based program significantly improved parents' knowledge and self-efficacy regarding youth mental health issues, as demonstrated in a study with 99 participants randomized into intervention and control groups.

The results suggest that such multimedia programs can effectively equip parents with the skills needed for early intervention in mental health problems, making them accessible in various settings like workplaces.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A web-based mental health program: reaching parents at work. Deitz, DK., Cook, RF., Billings, DW., et al.[2022]

A study involving 160 low-income parents showed that most had good access to the internet and were comfortable using it, indicating a strong potential for internet-based parent training programs.

In a pilot study with 89 parents, while there was high initial interest in an online parenting program, only 9% reported frequent use, highlighting the need for strategies to encourage deeper engagement with the program.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility of Internet-based Parent Training for Low-income Parents of Young Children. McGoron, L., Hvizdos, E., Bocknek, EL., et al.[2019]

A qualitative study involving caregivers of pediatric patients revealed that a game-based strategy effectively engaged parents in understanding and promoting patient safety actions.

The game not only facilitated knowledge transfer about patient safety but also positively changed caregivers' perceptions and behaviors, encouraging them to be more active participants in their child's care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Ludic strategy for promoting engagement of parents and caregivers in the safety of pediatric patients. Gonçalves, KMM., Costa, MTTCA., Silva, DCB., et al.[2021]

In a study involving parents of preschoolers from 17 Maryland child care centers, it was found that parents who identified as non-Hispanic White and had higher education levels engaged more with a wellness intervention website, showing more webpage views and completing more activities.

The findings highlight demographic disparities in website engagement, suggesting that these differences could lead to health inequities in access to wellness information, indicating a need for targeted strategies to improve engagement among underrepresented groups.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Parent Website Engagement and Health Equity Implications in a Child Care-Based Wellness Intervention. Ezran, M., Trude, ACB., Hepworth, AD., et al.[2022]

Digital health interventions, such as mobile apps and electronic health records, can enhance patient safety for children and their parents by providing preventive measures and risk management strategies, as identified in a scoping review of 13 studies.

These interventions can improve the continuity of care from hospitalization to home, thereby increasing children's safety and quality of care through better engagement with healthcare providers after discharge.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Digital health intervention on patient safety for children and parents: A scoping review. Park, J., Jeon, H., Choi, EK.[2023]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10077819/

Evaluating the Efficacy of the Family Check-Up Online This study evaluated the efficacy of a family-centered preventive intervention, the Family Check-Up (FCU), delivered as an online, eHealth model to middle ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0885200624001364

Family Check-Up Online effects on parenting and ... The FCU-O was associated with improvements to parents' support for positive behavior, limit-setting, and proactive parenting skills, as well as parenting self- ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6070726/

The Family Check-Up Online Program for Parents of ... When the FCU was delivered in schools, teachers reported reduced problem behavior across the 3 years of middle school [14] and in school-related ...

4. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11121-024-01725-3

Family Check-Up Online: Effects of a Virtual Randomized ... The FCU-O reduced caregiver stress and improved proactive parenting and limit setting but had no effects on youth outcomes.

5. thefamilycheckup.com thefamilycheckup.com/sites/default/files/FCU%20and%20FCUO%20Overview.pdf

FCU and FCUO Overview.pdf The FCU Online with coaching support improved parents' self-efficacy and child emotional problems at three months post-test, with outcomes moderated by risk in ...

6. welcome.thefamilycheckup.com welcome.thefamilycheckup.com/resources

Resources This resource provides detailed information, reviews, data, links, and statistics about the Family Check-Up Model. Early Intervention Foundation Click above for ...

7. welcome.thefamilycheckup.com welcome.thefamilycheckup.com/sites/default/files/2025-09/FCU-Online-Overview.pdf

FCU® Online Overview The FCU Online with coaching support improved parents' self-efficacy and child emotional problems at three months post-test, with outcomes moderated by risk in ...

8. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10018613/

Evaluating the Efficacy of the Family Check-Up Online to ... Significant intervention effects were observed for all parental-functioning outcomes (perceived stress, emotion regulation indices, anxiety, and ...