NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Testing an online parenting program to prevent mental health issues in children

Official title: A pilot test of a brief eHealth parent-focused prevention intervention with parents referred from primary care clinics

Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-10675713 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is working to make a helpful online parenting program easier for families to access by training doctors and healthcare providers to refer parents to it, so they can get the support they need without having to go to in-person sessions.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Minnesota
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Minneapolis, United States)
Project startAugust 16, 2021
Project endJuly 31, 2025
Funding year2023
Award (this year)$155,000
NIH project number5R34MH124690-03
Project IDNIH-10675713 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are parents of children aged 0-11 years who are seeking support for behavioral health concerns.

Less likely to help

Patients who do not have children or whose children are older than 11 years may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research aims to improve access to a proven parenting program called GenerationPMTO by delivering it online. It focuses on training primary care providers to effectively refer parents to this eHealth program, making it easier for families to participate. The study will first develop a referral process and then pilot test it to ensure that parents can easily access the support they need. By integrating this program into primary care settings, the research seeks to overcome barriers that prevent parents from attending in-person sessions.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide parents with easier access to effective tools for preventing mental health issues in their children.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using online platforms for delivering parenting programs, indicating that this approach has potential.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Minnesota
    Minneapolis, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Mehus, Christopher J — University of Minnesota
  • Study coordinator: Mehus, Christopher J

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.