Natural Helpers and PCIT for Child Behavior and Parenting
This study is looking at two ways to help families with child behavior and parenting challenges: Standard Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and Natural Helpers (NH). PCIT is a proven behavioral therapy that involves weekly, one-hour sessions with a therapist for 18 weeks. Natural Helpers are community members who offer advice and support in weekly 30-45 minute sessions for up to 18 weeks. The study wants to see how well these approaches, especially when combined, help families stay engaged in treatment and improve child behavior and parenting skills. Children aged 2 to 12 years with a history of abuse, neglect, or behavior problems may be able to join. The study will measure changes in child behavior and parenting skills over about 26 weeks.
- Study design
- This is an interventional study planning to enroll 300 participants. It compares two behavioral interventions: Standard Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and Natural Helpers (NH).
- What's involved
- You would participate in weekly sessions for up to 18 weeks, either with a PCIT therapist or a Natural Helper. These sessions would be in person or virtual.
- Compensation
- Not stated in the trial record.
- Follow-up
- Your child's behavior and your parenting skills will be measured for up to 26 weeks after starting the study.
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Natural Helpers and PCIT
At a glance
Conditions
Where it's being run
2 sites across 1 statesStudy leadership
- Jason Jent, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Miami
Who to contact
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What this trial measures
- Child externalizing behavior as measured by ECBI Intensity ScaleUp to 26 weeks
The Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI) is a 36-item caregiver report measure of disruptive behaviors in children ages 2-16 . The Intensity Scale assesses the frequency of behavior problems (1=never to 7=always) with total scores ranging from 36 to 252. A raw score of 131 or higher on the Intensity Scale is considered clinically significant child externalizing behavior.
- Child externalizing behavior as measured by ECBI Problem ScaleUp to 26 weeks
The Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI) is a 36-item caregiver report measure of disruptive behaviors in children ages 2-16 . The Problem Scale assesses caregiver perceived behavior problems (1 = yes, 0 = no) with total scores ranging from 0 to 36. A raw score of 15 or higher on the Problem Scale is considered clinically significant child externalizing behavior.
- Parenting Skills as measured by the Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System (DPICS-IV)Up to 26 weeks
The DPICS-IV is a behavioral observation tool used to code and assess caregiver behaviors and the quality of caregiver and child interactions. PCIT therapists code the three 5-minute DPICS-IV observations: (1) child-led play (CLP), (2) parent-led play (PLP), and (3) clean-up (CU). The number of positive parenting practices (e.g., labeled praises, reflections, and behavior descriptions) and negative parenting practices are tallied (e.g., questions, commands, and criticisms) are coded during CLP observations. During PLP and CU observations, caregiver verbalizations were coded to generate rates of: (1) caregiver effective commands, (2) caregiver correct follow-through on effective commands, and (3) child compliance to effective commands. The higher the score the higher the parenting behavior and child compliance.
- Parenting Stress as measured by Parenting Stress Index Short Form (PSI-SF-4)Up to 26 weeks
The PSI-SF-4 is a 36-item self-report questionnaire used to measure caregiver stress and difficulties in the caregiver-child relationship for caregivers of youth between ages 0-12. The PSI-SF-4 yields a Total Stress percentile score (0-100) with higher scores indicating higher stress.
- Family conflict as measured by Bloom's Family Processes ScaleUp to 26 weeks
The Bloom's Family Processes Scale assesses family conflict and cohesion using a 5-item conflict subscale (e.g. "we fight a lot in our family"). Caregivers rate their level of agreement on a five-point Likert scale (1=strongly agree to 5=strongly disagree). Total score ranges from 5-25 with the higher scores indicating greater conflict.
- Family cohesion as measured by Bloom's Family Processes ScaleUp to 26 weeks
The Bloom's Family Processes Scale assesses family cohesion using a 5-item cohesion subscale (e.g., "there is a feeling of togetherness in our family"). Caregivers rate their level of agreement on a five-point Likert scale (1=strongly agree to 5=strongly disagree). Total score ranges from 5-25 with the higher scores indicating greater cohesion.