Invest in Play: a parent program to reduce problem behavior in school‑age children
Official title: Evaluation of the Invest in Play Program - a New Parent Intervention for Children With Problem Behavior
Run by University of Tromso · NCT06984809 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program will test whether the Invest in Play (iiP) parent program can reduce problem behavior in children aged 6–12 and improve parenting practices by comparing families who take the program with a control group.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 180 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Tromso Academic / other |
| Locations | 5 sites (Bergen, Fyllingdalen and 4 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | September 25, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 2028 |
| Study ends | December 2028 |
| Registry record updated | June 29, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06984809 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are parents of 6–12‑year‑old children referred to outpatient mental health clinics for behavioral problems whose child scores above the 90th percentile on the ECBI and who can participate in Norwegian group sessions.
✕Probably not a fit
Children or parents with severe developmental delay, autism spectrum disorder, inability to understand Norwegian, or who are unlikely to benefit from group therapy may not gain from this program.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Researchers will randomize parents of children aged 6–12 referred to outpatient clinics for behavioral problems to either the iiP parent program or a control group and collect surveys before and after the intervention. Eligibility requires children to score above the 90th percentile on the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory using Norwegian norms, and excludes families with severe developmental delay, autism spectrum disorder, or inability to understand Norwegian. The iiP program targets parenting practices, emotion regulation, parent‑child relationship quality, and parental attributions through group sessions. Study sites are multiple child and adolescent mental health outpatient clinics in Norway and outcomes focus on child problem behaviors and parent-reported practices.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, iiP could reduce children's disruptive behaviors and improve parenting skills and family relationships, potentially decreasing the need for more intensive services.
How similar studies have gone: Other parent‑training programs such as PCIT and Triple P have shown success reducing disruptive child behavior, so iiP builds on established approaches though the specific program is newer.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Parents of children between 6-12 years of age referred to out-patient clinics for treatment of behavioural problems. * Children scoring above a pre-defined mean cut off score (over the 90 percentile) on the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI; Eyberg \& Ross, 1978) based on Norwegian norms (Reedtz et al., 2008), as reported by parents. Exclusion Criteria: \- Severe developmental delay (in children or parents), autism spectrum disorder, inability to understand Norwegian, or other reasons why the parent(s) are not expected to benefit from group therapy.
Where it's running
-
Betanien Hospital
Bergen, Fyllingdalen, Norway Recruiting -
Haukeland university hospital, department of mental health care for children and adolescents
Bergen, Norway Recruiting -
Helse Fonna HF, BUP Stord
Haugesund, Norway Recruiting -
OUS/PHA/BUPA/BUP Oslo Nord
Oslo, Norway Recruiting -
Helse Nord-Trøndelag HF, Barne- og ungdomspsykiatrisk avdeling (BUP)
Namsos, Norway Active not recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Lene-Mari P. Rasmussen, Ph.d — UiT The Arctic University of Norway
- Study coordinator: Kurt Henrik Dalmo, Ph.d.
- Email: kurt.h.dalmo@uit.no
- Phone: +4777660306
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.