Clinical Research Directory
Browse clinical research sites, groups, and studies.
Hand in Hand: Feasibility of a Compassion-Focused App to Support Parents of Children With Mental Health Problems
Sponsor: University of Aarhus
Summary
Parents of children and adolescents with mental health problems may experience substantial caregiving burden and emotional distress, including persistent stress, self-criticism, shame, and parental burnout. Hand in Hand is a four-week, self-guided, compassion-focused app developed to support parents of children and adolescents referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Drawing on principles from Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and inspired by work by Kirby et al., the app was developed through a participatory co-design process involving parents and clinical and research experts. The project comprises two interrelated sub-studies. Sub-study 1 is an open feasibility study evaluating the feasibility and preliminary outcomes of Hand in Hand among parents of children and adolescents referred to CAMHS in the Central Denmark Region. Feasibility outcomes include recruitment, retention, adherence, engagement, acceptability, and data completeness. Preliminary changes in parental outcomes, including parental burnout, emotion regulation, family empowerment, self-compassion, self-criticism, shame, and emotional distress, as well as parent-reported child outcomes, will also be explored. Sub-study 2 is an embedded qualitative study exploring parents' experiences of using Hand in Hand and their perceptions of whether and how the intervention influences parental well-being and family interactions.
Official title: Hand in Hand - Supporting Parents of Children With Mental Health Problems Referred to Hospital Care - Preliminary Testing of a Compassion Focused App-intervention Co-designed With-end Users
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
400
Start Date
2026-11-01
Completion Date
2027-04-01
Last Updated
2026-09-25
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
App-based Compassion Program
The intervention Hand in Hand provides information, reflections, and practical exercises based on principles from Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT). Participants are introduced to strategies for understanding and regulating emotional responses, directing compassion toward themselves and others, and applying compassion in challenging situations in everyday life. The program includes guided exercises, audio and video materials, and brief daily reflections, with participants encouraged to practise the exercises regularly between sessions.