eConnect: implementation and preliminary evaluation of a virtually delivered attachment-based parenting intervention...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Family Studies

Background:

• Attachment-based and trauma-informed interventions improve adolescent mental health.
• The Connect program has shown efficacy in in-person settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the online adaptation of the Connect program (eConnect).
• To assess pre-post treatment changes in parent, family, and youth functioning in a clinical sample.

Main Methods:

• A clinical sample of 190 parents of youth with serious mental health challenges participated.
• Pre-post treatment measures assessed youth internalizing/externalizing problems, attachment, aggression, caregiver strain, and parent mood.

Main Results:

• Parents reported significant reductions in youth internalizing/externalizing problems, attachment anxiety/avoidance, and aggression.
• Caregiver strain and aggression toward the child also significantly decreased.
• Parental depressed mood did not decline; program completion was high (84.7%) with high satisfaction.

Conclusions:

• eConnect is an effective online adaptation of the Connect intervention, improving youth and family functioning.
• High program completion and satisfaction indicate potential for sustainability and accessibility.
• Further research with randomized clinical trials and diverse populations is warranted.