A Pilot Efficacy and Implementation Study of the Strengths Intervention Project

Recent research suggests that parents and adolescents report an interest in doctors facilitating increased parent-teen communication about teen strengths. However, little research focuses on how to address this need in a primary care setting. Content from subject matter experts along with data gathered from parents and teens were used to develop a novel strengths-based intervention to be tested in primary care.

The study intervention being examined is called the Strengths Intervention Project and includes a written pamphlet, a guided discussion activity, in-person/phone health coaching, and in-person or mailed health care provider endorsement and key messaging. Measures will be collected at baseline pre-intervention (T1), in clinic or over the phone at the time of the intervention (T2), approximately two weeks post-intervention (T3), and approximately 2 months post-intervention (T4). Daily diaries will also be utilized twice to gather data pre- and post- intervention. We will measure feasibility of clinic implementation of intervention, as well as influence of intervention on parent-teen communication and adolescent outcomes.

Adolescent Criteria:

Inclusion criteria

• Teens age 13 to 15 years at the time of their upcoming well-child visit (Arm 1) OR Teens age 13 to 15 years at the time of their last well-child visit (Arm 2)
• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) primary care patient (Arm 1 and 2)
• Scheduled for a well-child visit that parent and teen both plan to attend (Arm 1) OR Attended a well-child visit with parent (Arm 2)
• Diagnosed with Asthma > year (asthma subgroup; Arm 1 only)
• Prescribed a controller medication year-round (asthma subgroup; Arm 1 only)
• Adolescent has their own email account to complete electronic surveys (Arm 1 and 2)

Exclusion criteria

• Not fluent in written or spoken English (Arm 1 and 2)
• Attending a new patient well-child visit (Arm 1) OR attended a new patient well-child visit (Arm 2)
• Presence of developmental delay or pervasive developmental disorder that requires special education services (Arm 1 and 2)
• Psychiatric hospitalization of the adolescent in the past year (Arm 1 and 2)
• Participated in studies: CHOP IRB # 15-011732 and/or CHOP IRB # 17-013895 (Arm 1 and 2)
• Adolescent has sibling enrolled in (IRB 18-014922) (Arm 1 and 2)

Parent Criteria:

Inclusion criteria

• Parent or legal guardian of a teen age 13 to 15 years at their upcoming well-child visit at a CHOP primary care practice (Arm 1) OR Parent or legal guardian of a teen age 13 to 15 years at their recent well-child visit at a CHOP primary care practice (Arm 2)
• Parent has their own email account to complete electronic surveys (Arm 1 and 2)

Exclusion criteria

• Not fluent in written or spoken English (Arm 1 and 2)
• Participated in studies: CHOP IRB # 15-011732 and/or CHOP IRB # 17-013895 (Arm 1 and 2)