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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05217615

Parent Training for Parents of Toddlers Born Very Premature:

The purpose of the study is to test the effects of the ezParent (web-based parent training program) intervention and telephone coaching calls (coach) on parent and child outcomes after 3-, 6-, and 12-months. Parents (n=220) will be randomized using a 2 x 2 factorial design to: (1) ezParent+coach, (2) ezParent, (3) Active Control+coach, or (4) Active control. The investigators will address these aims:

1. Determine the independent and combined effects of ezParent and coaching calls on parent outcomes. H1: The ezParent and ezParent+coach groups will report greater improvements in parenting skills and self-efficacy and reductions in harsh and negative discipline; and exhibit observed improvements in parent-child emotional connection vs. active control H2: There will be a synergistic effect of ezParent and coaching calls on parent outcomes such that ezParent+coach will provide greater benefit than the sum of the main effects of ezParent or coaching calls. 2. Determine the independent and combined effects of ezParent and coaching calls on child outcomes. H3: The ezParent and ezParent+coach groups will report greater reductions in child behavior problems vs. active control. H4: There will be a synergistic effect of ezParent and coaching calls on child outcomes such that ezParent+coach will provide greater benefit than the sum of the main effects of ezParent or coaching calls. 3. Determine differences in ezParent engagement with and without coaching calls. Engagement will be assessed by frequency (the number of times parents use the program), activity (proportion of material completed), and duration (amount of time parents use the program). H5: Relative to the ezParent only group, the ezParent+coach group will exhibit higher engagement with the ezParent.

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Key information

Conditions

Parenting Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Child Behavior Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Obstetric Labor Complications Obstetric Labor, Premature Parenting Intervention Pregnancy Complications Premature Birth Problem Behavior Urogenital Diseases

Age range

20 month and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Rush University Children's Hospital, Chicago, Illinois, United States

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About this study

The purpose of this study is to test the separate and combined effects of the ezParent behavioral parent training (BPT) program and coaching calls on parent and former very preterm (VPT) child outcomes. Currently, there is no effective, accessible BPT intervention for parents of former VPT infants. The goal is to develop a widely accessible and effective form of BPT delivery to address the unmet and unique needs of parents of VPT children. This is a critical gap, because without such tailored intervention, early behavior problems will persist and impair individual and family functioning over the long term.

A 2x2 factorial randomized design will be used with parent-child dyads (n=220) of children age 20-30 months corrected age (CA) who were born VPT (<32 weeks gestational age). Parent-child dyads will be randomized into one of four groups: (1) ezParent+coach, (2) ezParent, (3) Active Control+coach, or (4) Active Control. Parent and child outcome data will be collected at 4 time points (baseline; 3 months post-baseline; 6 months post-baseline; 12 months post-baseline).

The specific aims are to determine the independent and combined effects of ezParent and coaching calls on parent outcomes and child outcomes and to identify differences in ezParent engagement with and without coaching calls. Study hypotheses are:

  • Parents in the ezParent and ezParent+coach groups will report greater improvements in parenting skills and self-efficacy and reductions in harsh and negative discipline; and exhibit observed improvements in parent-child emotional connection vs. active control.
  • There will be a synergistic effect of ezParent and coaching calls on parent outcomes such that ezParent+coach will provide greater benefit than the sum of the main effects of ezParent or coaching calls.
  • Parents in the ezParent and ezParent+coach groups will report greater reductions in child behavior problems vs. active control.
  • There will be a synergistic effect of ezParent and coaching calls on child outcomes such that ezParent+coach will provide greater benefit than the sum of the main effects of ezParent or coaching calls.
  • Relative to the ezParent only group, the ezParent+coach group will exhibit higher engagement with the ezParent.

Parent-child dyads (n=220) will be recruited for this study from 2 large pediatric academic medical centers that care for large and diverse populations of children born preterm (Nationwide Children's Hospital (NCH), Columbus, OH, and Rush University Medical Center (RUMC), Chicago IL). Recruitment will be coordinated through RUMC and NCH's NICU follow-up clinics. Recruitment methods include: (a) in person recruitment by trained Research Assistants (RAs) at scheduled NICU follow up clinic appointments, (b) study information provided by NICU follow up clinics, and (c) direct mailings (email and postal) to parents with children in the eligible age range generated through the NICU follow up clinics via listservs and patient lists.

After consent and completion of baseline surveys, parent-child dyads are randomized to one of four groups: ezParent, ezParent+coach, control, or control+coach. Based on participants' random group assignments, parents will receive instructions on the use of the assigned digital intervention and if parents are in a coaching group will schedule their first coaching call. The intervention period is 10-weeks. Parents in all groups will complete their digital program during that 10-weeks and parents in coaching groups will participate in weekly, brief (~15 minutes) coaching calls. Intervention activities are for parents only. There is no active child involvement during the intervention period. However, children may experience changes in parent behavior based on their receipt of the intervention content.

The ezParent Program is a 6-module digital adaptation of the group-based Chicago Parent Program (CPP). The CPP is an evidence-based, 12-session program for parents of young children. The purpose of the program is to strengthen parenting, decrease child d behavior problems, and increase child prosocial behavior. Each module includes: a video narrator describing parenting strategies; video vignettes of parents and children as examples of how parenting strategies work; questions following each vignette for parents to reflect upon; interactive activities for parents to complete; knowledge questions to assess parent understanding of the strategies; and practice assignments. The control program includes six topic areas are: Immunizations, Common Childhood Illnesses, Nutrition, Dental Health, and Indoor and Outdoor Injury Prevention/Safety. The program includes digital handouts, websites, and resources provided to parents of children in this age group.

Parents in the coaching groups will receive brief (~15 min) weekly telephone coaching calls to provide parents with an opportunity to receive clarification of intervention content (e.g., ezParent or control), encouragement and reinforcement of intervention completion, and support tailoring of intervention content for their child.

Parents will complete surveys and observations at 3-month post-baseline and surveys at 6 months and 12 months post-baseline.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Parent or legal guardian of a child that was very preterm (VPT) (gestational age < 32 weeks) between 20 - 30 months corrected age
  • parent is English speaking
  • parent has a smartphone, tablet, or computer with Wi-Fi or wireless access to receive the digital intervention component for their assigned group.

Exclusion criteria

  • child demonstrates a profound developmental and adaptive skill impairment (standard score of 55, 3 SDs below the M, below the 1st percentile) as reported by parents on the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (3rd edition) Communication or Socialization Index.

Treatment and study plan

ezParent

Behavioral

The ezParent Program is a 6-module web-based adaptation of the group-based Chicago Parent Program (CPP). ezParent uses multiple strategies to promote skill development in parents. Each module includes (a) video narrator descriptions of parenting strategies, (b) video vignettes of parents and children as examples of how parenting strategies work, (c) questions following each vignette for parents to reflect upon, (d) interactive activities for parents to complete, (e) knowledge questions to assess parent understanding of the strategies, and (f) practice assignments. To tailor to the former VPT population, developmental tips are included. Parents are instructed to complete the 6 modules over 10-weeks, approximately 1 module every 1.5 weeks. At the end of each module, parents receive a practice assignment linked to the module content. To encourage and support program completion, parents receive automated text messages and badges.

Coaching calls

Behavioral

The purpose of the brief (~15 min) telephone coaching calls is to provide parents with clarification of program content, encouragement and reinforcement of program completion, and support tailoring of intervention content (ezParent or Active Control)for their child. Coaching calls are guided by a semi-structured script aimed at supporting parent learning and motivation. Calls will be scheduled every week for 10 weeks. Each call will include an opportunity for parents to identify and discuss:(a) questions regarding the materials and content received in their respective groups,(b) identification of potential barriers and strategies to overcome barriers for completion of intervention (ezParent or control) content in their respective group, and (c)follow up on discussion points from previous calls. In both conditions, coaches will have access to a web-based usage portal to guide the discussion.

Active Control

Behavioral

The active control is an adaptation of a web-based application developed in our previous study (R01-HS024273). The program will include general information typically provided during well-child or NICU follow up visits. Six topic areas are: Immunizations, Common Childhood Illnesses, Nutrition, Dental Health, and Indoor and Outdoor Injury Prevention/Safety. The program includes handouts, websites, and resources provided to parents of children in this age group. Parents will be instructed to review each topic over 10-weeks, approximately 1 topic every 1.5 weeks

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Parenting Self-efficacy and Competence (Parenting Sense of Competence Scale (PSOC))

    Time frame: baseline; 3-month, 6-month, 12-month post-baseline

    The Parenting Sense of Competence Scale (PSOC) has 17-items, with 2 subscales: satisfaction (person's liking of the parenting role) and efficacy (person's perceived competence in the parenting role). Scoring is on a 6-point scale (1 = strongly disagree to 6 = strongly agree). Higher scores indicate a better outcome (higher perceived parenting satisfaction and efficacy). The PSOC is correlated with other measures of family life and child behavior, and the satisfaction subscale is strongly correlated with measures of child behavior, parent well-being, and parenting style.

  2. Change in observed parent-child interaction and emotional connection (Welch Emotional Connection Scale (WECS)

    Time frame: 3-month post baseline

    WECS is an observational instrument for measuring key indicators of parent-child dyadic emotional connection (attraction, vocal communication, facial communication, and sensitivity/reciprocity) and is a construct of early relational health (ERH).

  3. Change in Child Behavior (Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI))

    Time frame: baseline; 3-month, 6-month, 12-month post-baseline

    The Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI) is a 36-item scale designed to measure the presence and intensity of problem behavior. Each item is measured on two scales: the Problem Scale (dichotomous) and Intensity Scale (7-point). Higher scores indicate a worse outcome (parent report of higher problem behaviors).The ECBI and CBCL are valid measure of child behavior problems, with established convergent validity across racial and ethnic populations and economically and linguistically diverse samples.

  4. Change in Parenting Behaviors (Parent Questionnaire (PQ))

    Time frame: baseline; 3-month, 6-month, 12-month post-baseline

    Follow-through subscale from the Parent Questionnaire (PQ. The follow-through subscale has 6-items and is scored on a 5-point scale related to parents' perception of how they perceive their behavior in following through on instructions and discipline. Higher scores indicate a better outcome.

  5. Change in Parenting Stress (Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF))

    Time frame: baseline; 3-month, 6-month, 12-month post-baseline

    A self-report screening tool that identify the sources and different types of stress that come with parenting. Parents report their level of agreement with 36 items. There are three subscales: parental distress, parent-child dysfunctional interaction, and difficult child. A total stress score is calculated that indicates the overall level of stress a person is feeling in their role as a parent. Higher scores indicate a worse outcome (higher parenting stress). The PSI-SF is a valid measure of parenting stress in multicultural samples and for parents from lower socioeconomic groups.

  6. Change in Child Behavior (Child Behavior Checklist 1½-5 (CBCL))

    Time frame: baseline; 3-month, 6-month, 12-month post-baseline

    The Child Behavior Checklist 1½-5 (CBCL) is a 99-item parent-report measure of frequencies of problem behaviors of children aged 1½ - 5. Two scales (externalizing (disruptive behavior problems, aggression, and hyperactivity) and Internalizing (anxiety, inhibition, depression, and social withdrawal) are rated on a 3- point scale (0 = not true; 1 = somewhat or sometimes true; and 2 = very true or often true). The CBCL is a valid assessment of behavior among former VPT infants. Higher scores indicate a worse outcome (higher child behavior problems).

  7. Change in Parenting Style and Behavior (Parenting Style Dimensions Questionnaire)

    Time frame: baseline; 3-month, 6-month, 12-month post-baseline

    The PSDQ is a 32-item questionnaire that is grouped into three styles and seven dimensions of parenting behaviors and styles. Parents respond to a 5-point scale (1 = never; 2= once in a while; 3= about half of the time; 4= very often; 5 = always). Scores are grouped to identify parenting style and dimensions, based on scores.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Program satisfaction

    Time frame: 3-month post baseline follow up

    The 22-item satisfaction survey includes: usefulness of program in managing child's behavior (3-items), acceptability of treatment format procedures (3-items), acceptability of program content (4-items), perceived program impact on participant as a parent (8-items) and helpfulness of intervention as an immediate resource for behavioral concerns (4-items).

  2. Intervention engagement

    Time frame: up to 3-months post-baseline (during intervention period)

    Metrics include: time stamps of all parent use of the program. Data is all accessible through digital tracking.

  3. Parent engagement - coaching calls

    Time frame: up to 3-months post-baseline (during intervention period)

    Metrics include: number of completed coaching phone calls, phone call attempts, and length of calls. Parents and coach will complete study developed process evaluation of parent engagement in calls and parent-coach relationship quality.

Other outcomes

  1. General Demographics and Income

    Time frame: Baseline

    Demographics (e.g., age, race/ethnicity, household structure) will be collected using a 32-item demographic inventory.

  2. Neighborhood and community characteristics

    Time frame: Baseline

    9 items from the National Survey of Children's Health. Questions include perceived neighborhood social support, condition, and safety

  3. Confusion, Hubbub, and Order Scale (CHAOS)

    Time frame: Baseline

    The CHAOS is 15-items and is designed to assess the level of environmental confusion and disorganization in the home. Scoring is on a 4-point scale (1 = very much to 4 = not at all like your own home). A total score represents the level of chaos and disorganization in the home environment. Higher scores indicate greater home chaos and disorganization.

  4. Confusion, Hubbub, and Order Scale (CHAOS)

    Time frame: 3-month post-baseline

    The CHAOS is 15-items and is designed to assess the level of environmental confusion and disorganization in the home. Scoring is on a 4-point scale (1 = very much to 4 = not at all like your own home). A total score represents the level of chaos and disorganization in the home environment. Higher scores indicate greater home chaos and disorganization.

  5. Confusion, Hubbub, and Order Scale (CHAOS)

    Time frame: 6-month post-baseline

    The CHAOS is 15-items and is designed to assess the level of environmental confusion and disorganization in the home. Scoring is on a 4-point scale (1 = very much to 4 = not at all like your own home). A total score represents the level of chaos and disorganization in the home environment. Higher scores indicate greater home chaos and disorganization.

  6. Confusion, Hubbub, and Order Scale (CHAOS)

    Time frame: 12-month post-baseline

    The CHAOS is 15-items and is designed to assess the level of environmental confusion and disorganization in the home. Scoring is on a 4-point scale (1 = very much to 4 = not at all like your own home). A total score represents the level of chaos and disorganization in the home environment. Higher scores indicate greater home chaos and disorganization.

  7. Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (3rd edition)

    Time frame: Eligibility screening

    Communication (receptive and expressive) and Socialization (interpersonal, play and leisure, and coping skills) scales of the Vineland-3 will be used to screen for study eligibility and evaluate developmental progress. The Parent/Caregiver Form asks about home and family-life behavior and parents respond to a series of questions about their child's abilities on a scale of 0=never; 1=sometimes; 2=usually or often and stop after they have given five scores of 0 in a row. This scale is used for eligibility screening (parents will not be included if: the child demonstrates a profound developmental and adaptive skill impairment (standard score of 55, 3 SDs below the M, below the 1st percentile) as reported by parents on the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (3rd edition) Communication or Socialization Index)

  8. Perceived Stress Scale

    Time frame: Baseline

    Measures the degree to which situations in one's life are appraised as stressful. 10-items, scored on a 5-point scale ( 0 - never 1 - almost never 2 - sometimes 3 - fairly often 4 - very often); higher scores indicate higher perceived stress.

  9. Perceived Stress Scale

    Time frame: 3-month post-baseline

    Measures the degree to which situations in one's life are appraised as stressful. 10-items, scored on a 5-point scale ( 0 - never 1 - almost never 2 - sometimes 3 - fairly often 4 - very often); higher scores indicate higher perceived stress.

  10. Perceived Stress Scale

    Time frame: 6-month post-baseline

    Measures the degree to which situations in one's life are appraised as stressful. 10-items, scored on a 5-point scale ( 0 - never 1 - almost never 2 - sometimes 3 - fairly often 4 - very often); higher scores indicate higher perceived stress.

  11. Perceived Stress Scale

    Time frame: 12-month post-baseline

    Measures the degree to which situations in one's life are appraised as stressful. 10-items, scored on a 5-point scale ( 0 - never 1 - almost never 2 - sometimes 3 - fairly often 4 - very often); higher scores indicate higher perceived stress.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ohio State University

Other

Collaborators

  • Klein Buendel, Inc.
  • Nationwide Children's Hospital
  • Rush University Medical Center

Registry information

Official study title

Parent Training for Parents of Toddlers Born Very Premature: A Factorial Design to Test Web Delivery and Telephone Coaching

Acronym: ezParent

Important dates

Study start
2022
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Feb 1, 2022
Registry last updated
Apr 20, 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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