Child-Parent Psychotherapy After the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake

NCT ID: NCT07040462

Last Updated: 2025-06-27

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

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

60 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-06-15

Study Completion Date

2025-11-15

Brief Summary

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This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) in reducing trauma-related symptoms and improving attachment quality among preschool-aged children who experienced the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes in Türkiye. A total of 60 caregiver-child dyads (children aged 3-6) will be recruited from 11 earthquake-affected provinces. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group, receiving 12 weekly CPP sessions, or a no-intervention control group. CPP will be delivered by trained clinical psychologists through either online or face-to-face sessions. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, mid-intervention (after session 6), and post-intervention (after session 12). Outcomes include child trauma symptoms, social-emotional functioning, and attachment quality, as well as caregiver reflective functioning, stress, and emotional well-being.

Detailed Description

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This randomized controlled trial investigates the impact of Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) on post-traumatic recovery and attachment in children aged 3 to 6 years who were exposed to the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes. CPP is a trauma-informed dyadic therapy that integrates psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, attachment, and developmental principles, emphasizing co-construction of trauma narratives and caregiver reflective functioning through play-based interaction.

The study will enroll 60 caregiver-child dyads from the 11 most affected cities in Türkiye: Kahramanmaraş, Hatay, Adıyaman, Gaziantep, Malatya, Adana, Osmaniye, Diyarbakır, Şanlıurfa, Kilis, and Elazığ. Eligible participants include children who were between 1-4 years old at the time of the disaster and are currently aged 3-6, along with a primary caregiver (mother or father) who is consistently involved in daily care.

The intervention group will receive 12 weekly CPP sessions (60 minutes each), conducted either online or in person, depending on logistical and contextual needs. Sessions will be delivered by licensed clinical psychologists trained in the CPP protocol. The control group will receive no intervention during the trial period but will complete assessments in parallel with the intervention group.

Primary outcomes include reduction in child trauma symptoms and improvement in social-emotional functioning and attachment quality. Secondary outcomes include parental stress, reflective functioning, and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Data will be collected at three timepoints: baseline (T1), mid-intervention (after session 6, T2), and post-intervention (after session 12, T3).

All instruments are validated in Turkish populations and age-appropriate. The child measures include the Ages \& Stages Questionnaires: Social-Emotional (ASQ:SE), Brief Attachment Scale (BAS-16), and a trauma symptom checklist appropriate for preschoolers. Caregiver measures include the Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (PRFQ), Parenting Stress Index Short Form (PSI-SF), and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21).

Conditions

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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Complex Emotional Dysregulation

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two parallel arms: (1) Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) or (2) No-treatment control. Each participant remains in their assigned arm throughout the 12-week study.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)

Participants in this arm will receive 12 weekly Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) sessions, each lasting approximately 60 minutes. CPP is a trauma-informed, attachment-based intervention that integrates psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and developmental principles. Sessions are dyadic (child and caregiver together) and may be conducted face-to-face or online. Therapists are trained clinical psychologists. The intervention focuses on emotional regulation, trauma narrative development, and strengthening the caregiver-child bond.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

CPP is a structured, evidence-based dyadic therapy designed for children aged 0-6 exposed to trauma and their caregivers. The intervention involves weekly joint sessions emphasizing safety, emotional expression, and caregiver reflective functioning. Delivered by trained psychologists either online or in person.

No-Treatment Control

Participants in this arm will receive no psychological intervention during the 12-week study period. They will, however, complete outcome assessments at the same three timepoints as the intervention group (baseline, mid-intervention, and post-intervention).

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)

CPP is a structured, evidence-based dyadic therapy designed for children aged 0-6 exposed to trauma and their caregivers. The intervention involves weekly joint sessions emphasizing safety, emotional expression, and caregiver reflective functioning. Delivered by trained psychologists either online or in person.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Children aged 3 to 6 years old at the time of enrollment
* Resided in one of the 11 cities affected by the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake (e.g., Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Adıyaman, Malatya, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Adana, Osmaniye, Diyarbakır, Kilis, Elazığ)
* Exposure to at least one qualifying traumatic event due to the earthquake (e.g., witnessing injury or death, loss of home, separation from caregiver)
* Living with a primary caregiver (mother or father) who consents to participate in the study
* Both caregiver and child are available to participate in 12 weekly sessions of CPP (online or face-to-face)
* Caregiver is fluent in Turkish and able to complete self-report questionnaires

Exclusion Criteria

* Child or caregiver currently receiving psychotherapy or psychiatric treatment
* Child diagnosed with developmental disorder (e.g., autism, intellectual disability) that significantly impairs communication or relational functioning
* Caregiver with a diagnosed severe psychiatric disorder (e.g., psychosis, bipolar disorder) or active substance use disorder
* Families with ongoing legal custody disputes or instability that may interfere with consistent participation
* Inability to access internet or digital device (for participants randomized to online therapy)
Minimum Eligible Age

3 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Istanbul Nisantasi University

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Beykoz University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Eda Yilmazer

Dr

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Beykoz University

Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Turkey (Türkiye)

Central Contacts

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Eda Yılmazer, Phd

Role: CONTACT

+905322575880

Metin Çınaroğlu, Phd

Role: CONTACT

+9053247320

Facility Contacts

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Eda Yılmazer, Phd

Role: primary

+905322575880

Metin Çınaroğlu, Phd

Role: backup

09053247320

Other Identifiers

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CPP-Kahramanmaras-RCT-2025

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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