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RECRUITING

NCT07047378

ACT-Based Training for Parental Burnout and Child Well-being

Sponsor: Chinese University of Hong Kong

View on ClinicalTrials.gov

Summary

The purpose of the proposed randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in reducing parental burnout and improving children's emotional and behavioral adjustment in families in Hong Kong over 3 months after the intervention. The findings will provide valuable and scientific insights to inform better parenting interventions and child protection policies.

Official title: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Based Training Programme for Reducing Parental Burnout and Improving Emotional and Behavioural Issues in Children: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial

Key Details

Gender

All

Age Range

3 Years - 65 Years

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Enrollment

120

Start Date

2025-04-22

Completion Date

2028-04-30

Last Updated

2025-07-10

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Conditions

Child Abuse Parental Burnout

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

ACT Intervention Group

For Parent ACT Group, parents will participate in a six-week, group-based ACT program integrated with behavioral parenting training based on positive parenting principles. Each session lasts two hours and includes 65 minutes of ACT-based activities (e.g., experiential exercises, guided imagery, mindfulness, values clarification, metaphors) and 25 minutes of parenting education and/or behavioral skills training. For Children ACT Group, children (aged 6-11) will also receive a child-focused ACT intervention to help them manage emotional challenges. Each session lasts two hours and includes 65 minutes of ACT-based activities (e.g., experiential exercises, guided imagery, mindfulness, values clarification, metaphors) and 25 minutes of behavioral skills training.

OTHER

control group

Participants allocated to the Control Group will not receive the ACT intervention but will continue to receive the standard services originally provided by Harmony House. These services constitute usual care and include initial assessments, individual counselling, group counselling, the provision of community resource information, and referrals. Control group participants will receive these supports as usual. This study will not alter their existing service arrangements in any way, nor will it add to or reduce the support they receive. Aside from not participating in the ACT program, the control group's experience will be identical to that of clients receiving regular services. After the intervention group completes the program, the control group will be offered the same course content (i.e., a waitlist intervention arrangement).

Inclusion Criteria: For the Parent ACT Group: 1. Cantonese-speaking Hong Kong residents between the ages of 19 and 65 years. 2. Primary caregivers of a child aged 3 to 11 years. 3. Have been identified by school social workers as being at risk of domestic violence or experiencing emotional distress. For the Child ACT Group: 1. Cantonese-speaking Hong Kong residents between the ages of 3 and 11 years. 2. Have been identified by school social workers as being at risk of domestic violence or experiencing emotional distress. For both groups (Shared inclusion criteria): 1. Participants must have sufficient Cantonese language proficiency to understand and communicate during the intervention. 2. Both parents and children must provide informed consent to participate in the study and all related assessments. Exclusion Criteria: For the Parent ACT Group: 1. Parents diagnosed with severe mental illnesses. 2. Parents with a developmental disability that interferes with their ability to comprehend the program's content. 3. Parents with cognitive, language, communication, visual, or hearing impairments or disorders that could impede their understanding of the intervention content; or 4. Parents currently participate in other psychosocial, psychoeducational, or parenting interventions. 5. Parents with active substance abuse issues that may interfere with their ability to participate in or benefit from the program. 6. Parents whose children have been diagnosed with psychological or medical conditions. For the Child ACT Group: 1\. Children who have been diagnosed with psychological or medical conditions. For both groups (Shared Exclusion criteria): 1. Families who are unable or unwilling to commit to attending the six-week sessions or completing follow-up assessments. 2. Families who lack access to transportation or other necessary resources to attend the intervention sessions 3. Parents and children who cannot understand or communicate in the language used in the intervention and assessments (i.e., Cantonese and Chinese).

Locations (2)

Harmony House Limited

Kwun Tong, Hong Kong

Chinese University of Hong Kong

Shatin, Hong Kong