ERIC Number: ED661597
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2024-Sep
Pages: 31
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Family Check-Up Online: Effects of a Virtual Randomized Trial on Parent Stress, Parenting, and Child Outcomes in Early Adolescence
Anne Marie Mauricio; Katherine A. Hails; Allison S. Caruthers; Arin M. Connell; Elizabeth A. Stormshak
Grantee Submission
We adapted the Family Check-Up Online (FCU-O): 1) to support families coping with pandemic-related stressors to prevent behavioral and emotional problems among middle school youth, and 2) for smartphone delivery to increase access and reach during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study evaluated the direct and indirect effects of the adapted FCU-O at 4-months post-baseline. The FCU-O combines online parenting support with telephone coaching. Participants were primary caregivers of children ages 10 to 14 years. Eligibility included endorsing depression on the PHQ-2 or significant stress on a 4-item version of the Perceived Stress Scale. We randomly assigned participants to the adapted FCU-O (N = 74) or a waitlist control condition (N= 87). Participants predominantly self-identified as female (95%), 42.77 years old on average, and White (84.6%). Outcomes included caregiver reports of perceived stress and parenting, and youth conduct problems and depressive symptoms. Using a multilevel modeling approach, we tested intent-to-treat intervention effects at 4-months, with time points nested within participants. The FCU-O reduced caregiver stress and improved proactive parenting and limit setting but had no effects on youth outcomes. Effect sizes were small to moderate (Cohen's d ranged from 0.37-0.57). We examined indirect effects on youth outcomes at 4-months via changes in caregiver stress and parenting at 2-months. Mediation analyses suggested indirect effects on youth depressive symptoms via reductions in caregiver stress and increases in proactive parenting. Results indicate the FCU-O has potential as a public health intervention for families facing extreme stressors such as those during the COVID-19 pandemic. [This paper will be published in "Prevention Science."]
Descriptors: Family Programs, Parenting Skills, Stress Variables, Stress Management, Coping, Pandemics, COVID-19, Middle School Students, Student Behavior, Behavior Problems, Emotional Problems, Handheld Devices, Child Rearing, Depression (Psychology), Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Intervention, Caregivers
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) (ED/IES); National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (DHHS/NIH)
Authoring Institution: N/A
IES Funded: Yes
Grant or Contract Numbers: R324B180001; 3R01MH12221301S1; R01MH122213