LightBEAM: an online program to support parent mental health and family wellbeing
Advancing Family Wellbeing Through a Massive Open Online Intervention: The LightBEAM Program Protocol for Randomized Waitlist Control Trial
This program will test whether the LightBEAM app helps Canadian parents with mild-to-moderate depression, anxiety, anger, or parenting stress improve their mental health and parent-child relationships.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 300 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Manitoba Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Winnipeg, Manitoba) |
| Trial ID | NCT07026838 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
LightBEAM is an app-based intervention that delivers expert-led videos, peer-coaching sessions, online forums, and progress monitoring to primary caregivers of young children. Eligible participants are caregivers aged 18+ living in Canada with an 18- to 107-month-old child who report at least mild emotional distress on standard measures. Participants use the BEAM program modules and engage with peer supports and monitoring tools over the intervention period while study outcomes track changes in depression, anxiety, anger, parenting stress, and parent-child relationship quality. The trial builds on prior BEAM work and collects standardized questionnaire data and usage metrics to measure clinical and engagement outcomes.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Primary caregivers aged 18 or older who live in Canada, have internet access and an electronic device, care for an 18- to 107-month-old child, and report at least mild symptoms on measures like the PHQ-9, GAD-7, PROMIS-Anger, or PSI are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who are under 18, live outside Canada, lack internet or an electronic device, care for a child outside the specified age range, previously participated in BEAM, or who require immediate intensive clinical care may not benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, LightBEAM could reduce parental depression, anxiety, anger, and harsh parenting while improving parent-child relationships and access to support.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier clinical trials of BEAM have shown promising reductions in parent depression, anxiety, and harsh parenting, supporting the approach used in LightBEAM.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * identify as a primary caregiver of any gender to an 18- to 107-month-old child * reside in Canada with access to internet connection * be aged 18 years or older * able to understand/read/speak in English * report at least mild emotional distress across depression, anxiety, anger, or parenting stress symptoms as assessed by the PHQ-9, GAD-7, PROMIS-Anger, and PSI * have access to an electronic device Exclusion Criteria: * below the age of 18 years * parenting a child outside the designated age range * live outside Canada * have participated in previous iterations of BEAM
Where this trial is running
Winnipeg, Manitoba
- University of Manitoba — Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Leslie Roos E Associate Professor, PhD
- Email: leslie.roos@umanitoba.ca
- Phone: 204-474-7400
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.