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Using a Mobile App to Support Parents of Children with Behavior Problems
Angela V Dahiya1,2,3, Rosanna Breaux4,5,6, Stephanie N Pham1,2,7
1Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech, 460 Turner St. NW, Suite 207, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA.
Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology
|October 30, 2025
Summary
A mobile app delivering behavioral parent training (BPT) showed feasibility and acceptability for families. This digital intervention effectively reduced child behavior problems and parental stress, offering a promising accessible mental health solution.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychology
- Digital Mental Health
- Behavioral Interventions
Background:
- Access to evidence-based mental health services is limited.
- Telehealth and mobile health offer solutions to overcome traditional barriers.
- Behavioral parent training (BPT) is effective for child disruptive behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a mobile BPT app, Treks.
- To evaluate Treks as a standalone treatment (Study 1) and with clinician consultation (Study 2).
Main Methods:
- Study 1: 20 caregivers used Treks for 4 weeks.
- Study 2: 26 caregivers of autistic children received telehealth consultation, then used Treks or online resources (control).
- Outcomes measured parenting stress, parent competence, and child behavior problems.
Main Results:
- Treks was rated positively for feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness.
- Study 1: 60% completion; 83% of completers showed reliable improvement.
- Study 2: Treks group showed significant decreases in child behavior problems and parent stress, and increased parent competence compared to control.
Conclusions:
- Mobile app-delivered BPT is a feasible and acceptable standalone treatment.
- This digital intervention can support families, especially those with limited access to traditional care.
- Consider Treks within a stepped-care model for child behavior issues.
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