A Behavioral Intervention With Foster Families

NCT ID: NCT05405972

Last Updated: 2024-05-03

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

95 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2022-05-15

Study Completion Date

2023-11-30

Brief Summary

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The purpose of this study is to investigate a behavioral intervention with foster families.

Detailed Description

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Study Aims: This study aims to investigate a technology-delivered family (sibling inclusive) intervention. Focus is on increasing family hardiness and preparation to care for children with disabilities and special needs in foster care. Three aims include: (1) establish the feasibility of the technology-based, family-centered intervention (2) explore in a preliminary manner the effects of the intervention on stress and relational quality outcomes among family member participants, and (3) an exploratory aim to determine feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the intervention on diurnal salivary cortisol levels within the foster family population.

Methods: This study employs a randomized control trial design of a behavioral intervention with both a control and experimental group. The intervention tested was created in partnership and adapted from the Connected Family Series (CFS) by psychologists at the Karyn Purvis Institute of Childhood Development and is called the Connected Family Series - For Foster Families (CFS-FF). Adaptation was needed as the original intervention was geared toward adoptive families and excluded foster families. The CFS-FF also needed content specific to fostering children with special needs. Stress and relational quality outcomes among members will be measured using the concepts of family hardiness, preparedness, and relationship development through a self-report questionnaire which include the Family Hardiness Index (FHI), the Integrating Foster Children (IFC) subscale from the Casey Foster Applicant Inventory (CFAI), and the Sibling Inventory of Behavior (SIB), respectively. Participation in the study spanned three to four months; one month for recruitment and collection of baseline data, one month for the intervention, and one-month post-intervention data collection. Exploratory aim 3 will be achieved by an objective indicator of stress-related biology, saliva diurnal cortisol rhythm, before and after completion of the intervention.

Conditions

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Family Relationship Sibling Relations Behavior, Social

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

This study employed a randomized control trial design of a behavioral intervention with foster families caring for a CDFC as well as a permanent child in the home. The intervention tested is self-paced and delivered via technology to include foster families in rural and underserved locations. Behavioral changes of caregivers and children in the home were predicted to improve family functioning and facilitate healing from relationship-based trauma and its associated symptoms. Stratified randomization was used to assign participants into the experimental or control group. Blinding of the two groups to participants was not done (participants knew whether or not they received the video intervention). However, the team blinded the statistical analysis to group with the use of a statistician. Families assigned to the control did have the opportunity to participate in the intervention post-data collection and analysis and outside of the research protocol.
Primary Study Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Randomization to group was blinded and done by an independent statistician.

Study Groups

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Group Receiving Intervention

The intervention group receives a link each week connecting them to the videos for both parents and children as well as a communicating/connecting activity. The intervention is self-paced over a 4 week period.

The intervention was titled the Connected Family Series - For Foster Families (CFS-FF) (further referred to as the intervention) and was created/adapted in partnership from the Connected Family Series (CFS) by psychologists at the Karyn Purvis Institute of Childhood Development (KPICD). A letter of support from the KPICD is available in Appendix D. Adaptation was needed as the original intervention was geared toward adoptive families and excluded foster families. This process was done with the original creator (Dr. Jana Hunsley) with members of the research team and fostering community.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

The Connected Family Series - For Foster Families

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

A 4-week program involving videos and activities for both the parent and child in the home.

Control Group

Families in the control group receive no video links during the 4 week period. Families assigned to the control do have the opportunity to participate in the intervention post-data collection and analysis and outside of the research protocol.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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The Connected Family Series - For Foster Families

A 4-week program involving videos and activities for both the parent and child in the home.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. licensed foster families
2. must have at least one permanent child (biological or adopted) living in the home before the foster or newly adopted child entered the home
3. at least one foster or foster-to-adopt child placed in the home
4. all participants other than the foster or foster-to-adopt child must be proficient in English

Exclusion Criteria

1. Non-English speaking
2. No permanent sibling between the ages of 7 at 17
3. No current foster placement living in the home
4. Designated as a group home
5. Greater than six children living in the home
Minimum Eligible Age

7 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

85 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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University of Arizona

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Christine Platt, DNP/PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Arizona

Locations

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University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

Provided Documents

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Document Type: Study Protocol

View Document

Document Type: Statistical Analysis Plan

View Document

Document Type: Informed Consent Form

View Document

Related Links

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https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/12-121

Bruskas, D., \& Tessin, D. H. (2013). Adverse childhood experiences and psychosocial well-being of women who were in foster care as children. The Permanente Journal, 17(3), e131-e141.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.02.035

Gypen, L., Vanderfaeillie, J., De Maeyer, S., Belenger, L., \& Van Holen, F. (2017). Outcomes of children who grew up in foster care: Systematic-review. Children and Youth Services Review, 76, 74-83

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.104703

Gypen, L., West, D., Van Holen, F., \& Vanderfaeillie, J. (2020). Birth children of foster carers: How do they experience the foster care placement. Child and Youth Services Review 109, 104703

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-017-1034-7

Vanderfaeillie, J., Van Holen, F., Carlier, E., \& Fransen, H. (2018b). Breakdown of foster care placements in Flanders: Incidence and associated factors. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry, 27(2), 209-220.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.11.030

Wojciak, A. S., McWey, L. M., \& Waid, J. (2018). Sibling relationships of youth in foster care: A predictor of resilience. Children and Youth Services Review, 84, 247-254.

Other Identifiers

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STUDY00000382

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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