Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 6, 2025
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Transdiagnostic feasibility trial of internet-based parenting intervention to reduce child behavioural difficulties
Brittany Burek1,2, Meghan K Ford1, Marie Hooper1,3
1Department of Psychology, Division of Neurology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.
Insights
This study shows that the I-InTERACT-North program is a feasible and acceptable telepsychological intervention for parents of children with neurodevelopmental risks. The program effectively improved parenting skills and child behavior in Canadian families.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Telehealth Interventions
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Background:
- Children with congenital or neonatal conditions are at risk for poor neurodevelopment.
- Parenting skills and child behavior difficulties are common in these at-risk populations.
- Telepsychological interventions offer a potential solution for delivering support remotely.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the feasibility and acceptability of an adapted telepsychological parent-child intervention (I-InTERACT-North).
- To assess preliminary efficacy in improving parenting skills and reducing emotional and behavioral difficulties.
- To support Canadian families with children at-risk for poor neurodevelopment.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-two families with children aged 3-8 years with histories of neonatal stroke, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), or serious congenital/neonatal conditions participated.
- The I-InTERACT-North program involved 7 online modules and 7 therapist-led videoconference sessions.
- Data collected included feasibility, adherence, acceptability (questionnaires, interviews), and preliminary efficacy (observational coding, self-report).
Main Results:
- 86% of families completed the program, with high satisfaction reported by parents and therapists (100%).
- High acceptability was noted for both online modules (95%) and videoconference sessions (95%).
- Significant improvements were observed in parenting confidence (d=0.45), parenting skill (d=0.64), and child behavior (d=0.50).
Conclusions:
- The I-InTERACT-North program demonstrates preliminary evidence of feasibility and acceptability.
- The intervention shows promise for improving outcomes in parents of children with neonatal brain injury.
- Telepsychological approaches are effective for supporting at-risk families.
Objective:
We examined feasibility and acceptability of an adapted telepsychological parent-child intervention to improve parenting skills and reduce emotional and behavioural difficulties in Canadian families of children at-risk for poor neurodevelopment given congenital or neonatal conditions. Preliminary program efficacy outcomes are also described.
Methods:
Twenty-two families of children between the ages of 3-8 years with histories of neonatal stroke, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and serious congenital and neonatal conditions [(congenital heart disease (CHD) or prematurity)] consented to participate in an adapted telepsychological parenting skills training program (I-InTERACT-North). The program helps parents develop positive parenting skills to improve parenting competence and child behaviour through 7 online psychoeducational modules completed independently and 7 videoconference sessions with a therapist. Videoconference sessions include live coaching to support application of skills. Feasibility (i.e., number of participants eligible, consented, refused), adherence (i.e., completion time, retention rates), acceptability (i.e., website experience questionnaire, therapist and parent semi-structured interviews), and preliminary efficacy (i.e., observational coding of parenting skill, self-reported parent competence, parent-reported child behaviour) data were collected.
Results:
Nineteen of the 22 families (86%) enrolled completed the program in an average of 10 weeks (range: 6-17 weeks). Parents and therapists reported high overall satisfaction with the program (100%), including acceptability of both the online modules (95%) and the videoconference sessions (95%). Parenting confidence (d = 0.45), parenting skill (d = 0 .64), and child behaviour (d = 0.50) significantly improved over the course of the intervention.
Conclusions:
Findings provide preliminary evidence for the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of I-InTERACT-North for parents of children with neonatal brain injury.
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