Technology-Assisted Parenting Intervention Plus Therapist Coaching: A Pilot Randomized Trial in a Community Practice...

Area of Science:

• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Behavioral Science
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Disruptive behaviors are common in youth, especially disadvantaged populations, and can lead to poor mental health outcomes.
• Parenting interventions are effective but face barriers for disadvantaged groups.
• Technology-assisted interventions may overcome some of these barriers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a technology-assisted parenting intervention (Parenting Wisely, PW) with therapist coaching.
• To compare PW + therapist coaching to treatment as usual (TAU) in a community mental health clinic (CMHC).
• To collect preliminary data on parenting and adolescent behavior outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Pilot randomized controlled trial with 53 caregiver-adolescent dyads and 13 clinicians.
• Intervention group received PW (technology-assisted parenting program) + therapist coaching.
• Control group received treatment as usual (TAU).
• Feasibility, acceptability, parenting, and behavior outcomes assessed at 3 and 6 months.

Main Results:

• Qualitative and quantitative data supported the feasibility and acceptability of PW + therapist coaching.
• High caregiver engagement, therapist adherence, and satisfaction were observed.
• No significant differences in parenting or adolescent behavior outcomes between groups were found in exploratory analyses.
• PW + therapist coaching may be most beneficial for early adolescents.

Conclusions:

• The Parenting Wisely (PW) intervention combined with therapist coaching is a feasible and acceptable approach for addressing disruptive behaviors in youth.
• While preliminary outcomes did not show significant differences, the intervention shows promise, particularly for early adolescents.
• Further studies are warranted to examine the effectiveness, predictors, moderators, and mechanisms of this intervention.