It will be studied whether the support groups for children (8-12 year-olds) of parents with a diagnosed mental disorder and/or substance use disorder are effective in decreasing behavioural and emotional problems, strengthening competence and social…
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Psychiatric and behavioural symptoms NEC
- Family issues
Synonym
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
The primary outcome measures of the study are behavioural and emotional
problems of the child and the emotional competency of the child.
Secondary outcome
The secondary outcome measures of the study are social functioning of the child
and family functioning. Some factors will be studied exploratively, that might
influence the effectiveness of the intervention: i.e. parental diagnosis,
chronicity and severity of parental problems, parental competence and ethnical
background.
Background summary
Over one third of the children of parents with a mental disorder (abbreviated
in Dutch as *KOPP*) or children of parents with a substance use disorder (*KVO*
in Dutch) develops serious and long-lasting problems themselves. Early in life,
these children run a higher risk for abuse and neglect, depression, eating
disorders, behavioural and academic problems. Later in lifetime, they are at
higher risk for depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, eating problems
and personality disorders. In the Netherlands, a coherent package of preventive
interventions has been developed for *KOPP* children and in the meantime as
well for children of parents with a substance abuse disorder. In this study,
the effect of one of the longest running interventions will be tested, namely
the preventive support-group for children, aged between 8 and 12 years, of
parents with mental and and/or substance abuse problems. The effect will be
assessed on four variables: presence of psychosocial, behavioural and emotional
problems, competency, social functioning of the child, and family functioning.
Study objective
It will be studied whether the support groups for children (8-12 year-olds) of
parents with a diagnosed mental disorder and/or substance use disorder are
effective in decreasing behavioural and emotional problems, strengthening
competence and social functioning of the child and improving family
functioning.
Study design
Children who participate in the group are compared to children who are on a
waiting list for the group. To avoid a control condition in which participants
are deprived of support, a randomized waiting list design is chosen for this
study, in which all children can participate ultimately.
Intervention
The intervention is described in a standardized protocol (manual), which has
been developed and standardized by several regional Mental Health Care services
in collaboration with the Trimbos-instituut. Children participate in a group,
which runs parallel to two group-sessions for parents. During eight sessions,
children receive information about the problems of their parents, social
support is offered as well as a training to learn strategies to enhance their
competency (i.e. how to cope with the problems of their parents). Parallel to
the group there are two parental meetings, one halfway through and one at the
end. The parental meetings target to inform parents about the aim and content
of the intervention for the children, improve understanding and involvement
with the child*s situation, offer parenting advices and information on the
outcomes of the intervention.
Children who are on the waiting list (control condition) will receive three
sessions of leisure time activities. The parents receive in the control
conditions no additional activities.
Study burden and risks
It is expected that participation in this intervention will result in health
benefits for the children. When effectiveness is demonstrated the intervention
can be implemented more broadly and reach a larger proportion of the target
population.
Montessorilaan 3
6500 HE Nijmegen
NL
Montessorilaan 3
6500 HE Nijmegen
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
Children between the ages of 8 and 12 (12 included), who have at least one parent with a diagnosed mental disorder or substance use disorder (DSM-IV).
Parents with a diagnosed DSM-IV mental disorder (including: depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizofrenia or other psychotic disorder and personality disorder) or substance use disorder.
The parental mental disorder should have been diagnosed in a standardized interview by a mental health professional, during the last year.
Exclusion criteria
Children and parents who are not able to write and speak in Dutch.
Children who already receive or did receive psychological treatment for their mental problems (since this study is focused on the outcomes of a primary preventive intervention).
Children who are not in primary school anymore during post-test or follow-up test (the transition between primary and secondary school can cause too much variance in child outcome).
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL13231.091.06 |