R01HD104072

Parent Training for Parents of Toddlers Born Very Premature: A Factorial Design to Test Web Delivery and Telephone Coaching - Project Summary/Abstract

Childhood behavior problems are a top mental and public health priority. Problem behavior such as aggression, defiance, and noncompliance emerge as early as 2 years of age and can persist through adolescence and adulthood, leading to long-term functional and psychological maladjustment.

Children born very premature (VPT; gestational age at birth < 32 weeks) are twice as likely to demonstrate behavioral problems as their peers. Despite the risk and occurrence of behavior problems in the VPT population, early intervention tends to focus on treatment of developmental delays, with very few resources for parents to manage behavior issues.

Behavioral Parent Training (BPT) is an effective treatment for families of children with problem behaviors. However, little is known about the use of BPT programs for former VPT infants with their unique medical, developmental, and psychological risk profiles. In addition, system and individual barriers affect parent access and engagement in BPT.

In an effort to address tailored needs of these families and service barriers, BPT delivery via digital applications and engagement strategies like telephone coaching calls can provide accessible and tailored approaches to support parents of young children. Currently, there is no effective, accessible BPT intervention for former VPT infants.

The purpose of the study, "Parent Training for Parents of Toddlers Born Very Premature: A Factorial Design to Test Web Delivery and Telephone Coaching," is to develop a new, accessible, and effective form of BPT delivery to address the unmet and unique needs of parents of VPT children. The BPT program proposed in this study is an adaptation of the evidence-based Chicago Parent Program (CPP) called the EZParent.

The study design is a factorial design to test a hybrid approach of digital EZParent and telephone coaching calls. Coaching calls are meant to reinforce parent learning and support tailoring strategies to their child's developmental level and needs. Parent and child (aged 20-30 months corrected) dyads will be recruited from two Midwest NICU follow-up clinics within Chicago, IL, and Columbus, OH.

Parents (N=220) will be randomized to one of four conditions: (1) EZParent+Coach, (2) EZParent, (3) Active Control+Coach, or (4) Active Control. We will test the independent and combined effects of EZParent and coaching calls on parent and child outcomes. We will evaluate the differences in EZParent dose and engagement with and without coaching calls.

Parent and child data will be assessed at baseline and 3-, 6-, and 12-months post-baseline. Providing low-intensity, digitally delivered interventions has the potential for influencing engagement and addressing challenges in service delivery for parents of VPT children at higher risk for behavioral problems and with elevated behavior problems.

Ohio State University

TO CONDUCT AND SUPPORT LABORATORY RESEARCH, CLINICAL TRIALS, AND STUDIES WITH PEOPLE THAT EXPLORE HEALTH PROCESSES. NICHD RESEARCHERS EXAMINE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, BIOLOGIC AND REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTIONS, BEHAVIOR PATTERNS, AND POPULATION DYNAMICS TO PROTECT AND MAINTAIN THE HEALTH OF ALL PEOPLE. TO EXAMINE THE IMPACT OF DISABILITIES, DISEASES, AND DEFECTS ON THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS. WITH THIS INFORMATION, THE NICHD HOPES TO RESTORE, INCREASE, AND MAXIMIZE THE CAPABILITIES OF PEOPLE AFFECTED BY DISEASE AND INJURY. TO SPONSOR TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR SCIENTISTS, DOCTORS, AND RESEARCHERS TO ENSURE THAT NICHD RESEARCH CAN CONTINUE. BY TRAINING THESE PROFESSIONALS IN THE LATEST RESEARCH METHODS AND TECHNOLOGIES, THE NICHD WILL BE ABLE TO CONDUCT ITS RESEARCH AND MAKE HEALTH RESEARCH PROGRESS UNTIL ALL CHILDREN, ADULTS, FAMILIES, AND POPULATIONS ENJOY GOOD HEALTH. THE MISSION OF THE NICHD IS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY PERSON IS BORN HEALTHY AND WANTED, THAT WOMEN SUFFER NO HARMFUL EFFECTS FROM REPRODUCTIVE PROCESSES, AND THAT ALL CHILDREN HAVE THE CHANCE TO ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL FOR HEALTHY AND PRODUCTIVE LIVES, FREE FROM DISEASE OR DISABILITY, AND TO ENSURE THE HEALTH, PRODUCTIVITY, INDEPENDENCE, AND WELL-BEING OF ALL PEOPLE THROUGH OPTIMAL REHABILITATION.

93.865 - Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) [HHS - NIH]

Columbus, Ohio 432012320 United States

Single Zip Code

NICHD Research Project Grant (R01 - Clinical Trial Required) (PA-18-480)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 352% from $674,218 to $3,046,230.