The Family Check-Up Online Program for Parents of Middle School Students: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Area of Science:

• Adolescent mental health
• Family psychology
• Digital health interventions

Background:

• Skillful family management during adolescence is crucial for preventing mental health and behavioral issues.
• Parenting skills act as a mediator between early risk factors and later behavioral problems like substance use and school failure.
• Positive changes in family management are linked to significant improvements in adolescent behavior across diverse cultural groups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and evaluation of an electronic health version of the Family Check-Up program.
• To assess the usability, feasibility, and efficacy of the Family Check-Up Online program for middle school children through a randomized controlled trial.

Main Methods:

• An iterative formative research process was used to develop the electronic health program.
• A randomized controlled trial is comparing Family Check-Up Online-only, Family Check-Up Online + Coach, and a waitlist control group.
• Assessments are conducted at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months post-randomization.

Main Results:

• The randomized controlled trial project was funded in 2015.
• Participant recruitment concluded in spring 2018, with ongoing enrollment.
• Follow-up assessments are scheduled for completion in 2019.

Conclusions:

• The Family Check-Up Online program offers an innovative approach to behavioral mental health implementation in schools.
• This digital intervention has the potential to overcome barriers faced by traditional school-based strategies.
• It addresses challenges related to staffing and resources for implementing family-centered support within educational settings.