Clinical Research Directory

The MAPS intervention is a manualized behavioral program, tailored for family caregivers of children with medical complexity, which consists of 8 one-on-one 45-60 minute sessions delivered by a trained interventionist. The intervention aims to improve participant mental health and emotional well-being by enhancing participants' sense of meaning and problem-solving skills. Key components adapted from meaning-centered psychotherapy include: identifying sources of meaning, guided imagery, personalized coping statements, meaningful activity scheduling, and values-based goal setting. Problem-solving skills-training is adapted from Bright IDEAS, a 5-step framework to teach problem-solving skills originally developed for mothers of children with cancer. Participants receive a workbook with reference materials, worksheets, and home practice exercises to promote skill mastery and routine maintenance.

Participants randomized to the comparison arm will receive usual psychosocial care services routinely provided by our institution's pediatric complex care and palliative care interdisciplinary team. This psychosocial care includes routine clinical evaluations, emotional and social support, and care coordination services, which are delivered via scheduled outpatient clinic visits, phone/virtual consultations, or inpatient visits.