Clinical Trial: Development of a Resiliency Training Program for Parents of Children With Specific Learning Disabilities

Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Recruiting
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Development of a Resiliency Training Program for Parents of Children With Specific Learning Disabilities

Brief Summary:

This study has three aims:

Phase I: Through focus group interviews with expert clinicians, leaders of organizations, and parents with children with special needs, this study aims to identify the psychosocial needs of parents of children with learning disabilities, specifically a) the types of concerns that parents find most difficult and stressful b) areas of concern that lack support and resources, and c) areas of need for education and skill training. This study also aims to gather feedback on the Benson-Henry Institute's Relaxation Response Resiliency Program (3RP).

Phase II: Informed by Phase I findings, this study aims to develop and determine the feasibility and acceptability of a virtual 8-session Relaxation Response Resiliency (3RP) program for parents of children with Specific Learning Disabilities (SPLD).

Phase II: This study also aims to test the effectiveness of a pilot wait-list control trial, establishing efficacy of a virtual resiliency program.


Detailed Summary:

According to the 2011/12 National Survey of Children's Health, 14.6 million children in the U.S. have special health care needs (e.g., learning disability, ADD/ADHD, developmental delays, chronic mental or physical health conditions); CSHCN comprise between 14.4%-25.6% of the child population in the United States. Having a child with special health care needs (CSHCN) is associated with an increased risk of problems with emotional and physical health and social well-being. Parents of CSHCN are also at an increased risk for not being employed, financial stress, and poor healthrelated quality of life (HRQoL). There is growing literature on the increased levels of parental stress associated with caring for CSHCN. One study found that chronic stress, as measured by the duration of having a CSHCN, was associated with an increase in clinical aging, determined by telomeres (caps at the end of each strand of DNA that protect chromosomes during aging) sequences. A review article provides a comprehensive overview of the links between high levels of parental stress among parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and child health and well-being. Furthermore, a recent study documented that parents of SSHCN feel socially isolated. Therefore, having a child with special health care needs (CSHCN) is associated with an increased risk of problems with emotional and physical health and social well-being. Parents of CSHCN are also at an increased risk for not being employed, financial stress, and poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL). There is growing literature on the increased levels of parental stress associated with caring for CSHCN, and a recent review article provides a comprehensive overview of the links between high levels of parental stress among parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and child health and well-being.

Resi
Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital

Current Primary Outcome: Perceived stress [ Time Frame: change between baseline (week 0) to post intervention (week 52) ]

perceived stress scale 10-item self report questionnaire


Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome: Stress Reactivity [ Time Frame: change between baseline (week 0) to post intervention (week 52) ]

Measure of current status validated self report questionnaire


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: Massachusetts General Hospital

Dates:
Date Received: May 12, 2016
Date Started: September 2016
Date Completion:
Last Updated: December 6, 2016
Last Verified: December 2016