Improving preschoolers' mental health through parenting programs

Improving Vulnerable Preschoolers' Mental Health: A Superiority Trial Assessing the How-to Parenting Program

Not applicable Interventional Université de Montréal · NCT05796466

This study tests if a parenting program can help parents support their preschoolers better and reduce behavior problems in kids from families that need extra help.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment320 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversité de Montréal Academic / other
Locations1 site (Montreal, Quebec)
Trial IDNCT05796466 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized control trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the How-to Parenting Program in enhancing parental autonomy support and reducing externalizing problems in preschoolers from vulnerable families. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the How-to Parenting Program or the Nobody's Perfect program, both consisting of six weekly sessions. Parents will complete questionnaires and engage in filmed interactions with their children at various points throughout the study to assess changes in parenting quality and child mental health. The study seeks to determine if teaching specific parenting skills leads to better outcomes compared to a program that does not focus on skill development.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are parents with at least one child aged 3 to 4 years who reside in low- or middle-income neighborhoods.

Not a fit: Parents who have previously attended a How-to Parenting Program or cannot communicate in French may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly improve the mental health of preschoolers by enhancing parenting practices.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown success with similar parenting programs, indicating potential for positive outcomes in this trial.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

\- Parents need to have at least one child aged between between 36 and 59 months at pre-intervention.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Parents will be excluded if they have previously attended a How-to Parenting Program
* Parents who are unable to communicate in French will be excluded.

Recruitment procedure:

\- To target more more vulnerable families, parents will primarily be recruited in ECCs located in low- or middle-income neighbourhoods of the greater Montreal (Canada) according to the Montreal's 2018 Poverty Map of Families with Children.

Where this trial is running

Montreal, Quebec

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Mental Health IssueParentingParenting program
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 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.