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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07536217

Developmental Pilot of Support Groups for Caregivers of Children With DLD

The purpose of this study is to test a new support group curriculum that we designed to support parents of children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).

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Key information

Conditions

Developmental Language Disorder Communication Disorders Language Development Disorders Language Disorders Nervous System Diseases Neurobehavioral Manifestations Neurologic Manifestations Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Delaware

Newark, Delaware, 19713, United States

About this study

After completing the informed consent process and eligibility has been verified, participants will complete parenting questionnaires. They will then be asked to attend 8-10 weekly support group meetings with other participants. Support group meetings are held remotely. After each meeting, participants will be asked to complete a brief questionnaire to learn about their experiences. After the final support group meeting, participants will be asked to complete the same parenting questionnaires as at study initiation. Participants will also be asked to complete a focus group with other support group attendees to share about their experiences in the group.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Caregiver of an elementary aged (5-12 year old) child with a lab-confirmed diagnosis of DLD

Exclusion criteria

  • Not able to participate via teletherapy in a support group delivered in English.

Treatment and study plan

Support Groups

Behavioral

A manualized support group for families who care for a child with developmental language disorder (DLD)

Primary outcomes

  1. Qualitative interviews with participants

    Time frame: up to 2 weeks after intervention

    Focus group and/or one-on-one interviews with support group participants

Secondary outcomes

  1. Survey on Knowledge Seeking Behaviors

    Time frame: up to 4 weeks before and 2 weeks after intervention

    We will use a survey developed by Darefsky (2022, adapted from (Al-Daihani & Al-Ateeqi, 2015). The survey consists of 9 total questions, of which there are two yes/no items, two multiple choice items, and four Likert scale items.

    This measure is not scored in a way that results in minimum or maximum scores, or outcomes. This measure is used to collect descriptive information about types and sources of information that caregivers desire in relation to their child's diagnosis.

  2. Child Adjustment and Parent Efficacy Scale

    Time frame: up to 4 weeks before and 2 weeks after intervention

    The Child Adjustment and Parent Efficacy Scale (CAPES; Morawska & Sanders, 2010) includes 50 Likert scale items

    This yields two measurements: one for Child Emotional and Behavioral Problems and one for Parent Efficacy.

    Child Emotional and Behavioral Problems: Minimum score = 0; Maximum score = 81. Higher scores indicate greater levels of child problems.

    Parent Efficacy: Minimum score = 19; Maximum score = 190 Higher scores indicate greater levels of parent self-efficacy.

  3. Parenting Stress Index, Fourth Edition Short Form

    Time frame: up to 4 weeks before and 2 weeks after intervention

    The Parenting Stress Index, Fourth Edition Short Form (PSI-4-SF; Abidin, 2012)includes 36 items. Minimum score = 36; Maximum score = 180. Higher scores indicate higher parent stress levels.

  4. Family Support Scale

    Time frame: up to 4 weeks before and 2 weeks after intervention

    The Family Support Scale (FSS; Dunst, et al., 1984)includes 18 Likert scale items.

    Minimum score = 0 Maximum score = 95 Higher scores indicate more family support.

Other outcomes

  1. Weekly Support Group Attendance

    Time frame: throughout intervention, up to 8 weeks.

    We track individual attendance at each support group meeting. Minimum score is 1 and maximum score is 8. The maximum score indicates full participation in all meetings.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Delaware

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Apr 17, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 3, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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