Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 Months to 99

Enhancing parent-child relationships in primary care settings

Official title: Child-Adult Relationship Enhancement in Primary Care: Supporting Parents and Children

Run by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · NCT05233150 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new program to see if it can help improve relationships between parents and their young children while also reducing child maltreatment.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Months to 99 Years
SexAll
Enrollment1932 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Chapel Hill, North Carolina and 1 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedMay 18, 2022
Main results expectedJuly 1, 2027
Study endsJuly 1, 2027
Registry record updatedMay 1, 2026
Trial IDNCT05233150 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates include English or Spanish-speaking caregivers aged 18 or older with children between 18 months and 6 years who are enrolled in Medicaid, CHIP, or are uninsured.

Probably not a fit

Patients who may not benefit include those whose children have a cognitive functioning below a 2-year-old level or have a diagnosis of autism.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of the PriCARE/CARIÑO program in reducing child maltreatment and improving parent-child interactions among families with children aged 2 to 6 years. It involves a randomized controlled trial where 966 child-caregiver dyads will receive the PriCARE/CARIÑO intervention alongside usual care, while another 966 dyads will receive only usual care. The study measures various outcomes, including child behavior problems, parenting stress, and the quality of parent-child relationships, using established assessment tools. The intervention will take place at multiple pediatric clinics in North Carolina and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly reduce instances of child maltreatment and improve the overall quality of parent-child relationships.

How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown success with similar interventions aimed at improving parent-child relationships and reducing maltreatment, indicating a promising approach.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Caregiver is age 18 years or older
* Caregiver is English or Spanish Speaking
* Caregiver is legal guardian of child subject
* Caregiver provides informed consent
* Caregiver is available to attend scheduled times of PriCARE/CARIÑO groups
* Caregiver has cellular phone with text messaging capacity
* Caregiver has appropriate technological tools and access to participate in virtual intervention
* Child is between 18 months and 6 years old
* Child receives care at participating primary care center
* Child has Medicaid/Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)/no insurance
* Child lives in North Carolina or Philadelphia

Exclusion Criteria:

* Caregiver or another caregiver in the household has previously participated in PriCARE/CARIÑO
* Child has a cognitive functioning below 2-year-old level, as determined by the screening questions and/or the referring clinician
* Child has a diagnosis of autism
* Child is receiving individual behavioral health treatment or medication for a behavioral health problem

Where it's running

  • University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
    Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
    Recruiting
  • Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
    Not yet recruiting

Study contacts

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
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.