Web-Based Program for Parenting Stress

JJ
AH
Overseen ByAreum Han, PhD
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: University of South Florida
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a web-based program designed to help parents of children with disabilities manage stress. The program, called ACT Together, uses acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to teach skills for handling difficult emotions and focusing on what truly matters. The trial aims to determine if parents and therapists can easily use the program and if it improves mental health and coping skills. Parents who are primary caregivers for a child with disabilities, regularly visit a participating clinic, and have internet access may be a good fit. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance support for families.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on a web-based program for managing stress, so it's unlikely that medication changes are required.

What prior data suggests that this web-based program is safe for parents of children with disabilities?

Research has shown that acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is generally safe and well-tolerated. Several studies have examined its use with parents of children with disabilities and found positive results. For example, one study discovered that a group-based ACT program reduced stress and improved mental health in participants. Another study demonstrated that a six-week ACT program helped parents engage more in activities that align with their personal values.

Participants in these studies reported being more open to experiences and less likely to avoid difficult thoughts or feelings. This suggests that ACT can help parents manage stress without major side effects.

Overall, these findings indicate that ACT is a safe option for parents seeking to improve their coping skills and mental health. Evidence from previous research supports its use in programs like ACT Together, which aims to help parents handle stress effectively.12345

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the ACT Together program for parenting stress because it offers a fresh approach through web-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Unlike traditional in-person therapy sessions, this program is conveniently accessible online, making it easier for busy parents to participate. Additionally, ACT focuses on helping individuals accept their feelings and commit to personal values, which could provide a more holistic and flexible coping strategy compared to standard stress management techniques. This unique combination of accessibility and therapeutic focus is what sets ACT Together apart from existing options.

What evidence suggests that this program is effective for reducing parenting stress?

Research has shown that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can reduce stress in parents of children with disabilities. One study found that ACT significantly lowered stress symptoms. Another study demonstrated that ACT improved parents' mindful awareness, with a moderate positive impact. ACT-based programs have consistently proven more effective in reducing parental stress than usual care. In this trial, participants will engage in the ACT Together program, designed to help parents manage stress and improve their mental health.678910

Who Is on the Research Team?

AH

Areum Han, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of South Florida

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for parents of children with disabilities who are experiencing stress or depression. They will engage in a web-based program called ACT Together, which includes online modules and weekly coaching sessions by occupational therapists.

Inclusion Criteria

I plan to visit the clinic weekly for the next three months.
Have access to a web-enabled device (e.g., smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop) with reliable internet access at home or in a public space (e.g., library)
I am an adult caring for a child with disabilities who is under 18 and attends a participating clinic.
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Exclusion Criteria

Cognitive, physical, sensory impairments, or language barriers (non-English speaking) that would impede participation
Suicidal intent or suicide attempt(s) within the past six months
Participation in another parent support research study at the time of recruitment
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Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants complete six self-paced web-based ACT modules and brief weekly individual coaching sessions with a trained occupational therapist

7-8 weeks
6 coaching sessions (phone)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including completing post-intervention questionnaires and interviews

1-2 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • ACT Together

Trial Overview

ACT Together, a web-based intervention based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), is being tested for its feasibility and effectiveness in helping parents cope with stress. It involves self-paced modules and weekly one-on-one coaching.

How Is the Trial Designed?

1

Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) groupExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of South Florida

Lead Sponsor

Trials
433
Recruited
198,000+

American Occupational Therapy Foundation

Collaborator

Trials
14
Recruited
380+

Citations

The effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on ...

ACT significantly reduced stress symptoms among parents of special children, with a standardized mean difference (SMD =– 0.42, 95% CI– 0.72 to– ...

Effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy ...

The pooled results showed that ACT-based interventions could significantly improve parents' mindful awareness/mindfulness skills (g = 0.41, 95% CI: [0.14, 0.67] ...

Acceptance and Commitment Training for Parents of ...

Meaning These findings show that ACT-based parenting program was effective in reducing parental stress, suggesting that further testing in more ...

ACT-based program reduces stress in parents of children ...

An acceptance and commitment therapy–based parenting program significantly reduced parental stress compared with usual care.

Effects of Acceptance and Commitment Training Plus ... - PMC

The findings showed that ACT+BPT resulted in parental implementation reaching and maintaining high levels. The training also decreased EA and ...

Comparison of the effectiveness of parenting acceptance and ...

The results of the current study show that both parenting approaches based on PACT and positive parenting are effective on children's depression, aggression, ...

Effects of a flexibly delivered group-based acceptance and ...

The objectives of this study were to assess the overall effects of a group-based ACT parenting program in reducing perceived stress and improving mental health ...

Evaluating the effects of Acceptance and Commitment ...

The results of the current study suggest that a six-week ACT protocol may produce robust increases in values-directed overt behaviors in parents of children ...

Parent, child, and family outcomes following Acceptance ...

The addition of ACT training resulted in improved parent reports of child quality of life and reduced parental depression and stress, compared ...

A Pilot Study Examining the Effect of Acceptance and ...

Parents reported significantly less parental psychological inflexibility (less experiential avoidance) and less cognitive fusion after receiving ...