Mentalization-based therapy for parents with trauma histories

A Mentalization-based Intervention to Enhance the Quality of Caregiver-child Interaction and Reduce the Risk of Child Maltreatment: a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

This study is testing a new parenting program designed to help parents with trauma histories better understand their own and their children's emotions to improve their relationships and reduce stress.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University Diego Portales (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan)
• Trial ID: NCT06889519 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This feasibility randomized controlled trial evaluates the Lighthouse Mentalization-Based Treatment Parenting Program (Lighthouse MBT-P) aimed at parents at risk of maltreating their children, particularly those with a history of childhood trauma. The program focuses on enhancing parents' abilities to understand and manage their own and their children's emotions, thereby improving parent-child relationships and reducing parenting stress. Conducted at Diego Portales University in Santiago, Chile, the study involves 60 participants who will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group receiving the Lighthouse MBT-P or a control group receiving standard psychoeducational support over 12 weeks.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are biological parents of children aged 0-36 months who have a history of adverse childhood experiences or current exposure to relationship violence.

Not a fit: Patients who are unable to provide informed consent due to mental or cognitive impairment or those whose children have severe cognitive delays may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly reduce the risk of child maltreatment by improving parenting skills and emotional regulation.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise with mentalization-based approaches in improving parenting practices, suggesting potential success for this culturally adapted program.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Biological parents of children (0-36 months old) with custody of their child.
2. Parents who have gone through adverse childhood experiences, have a history of parental substance abuse or incarceration, have current exposure to relationship violence, or social isolation, or have lost custody of a child in the past.
3. Parents must be over the age of 18.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Parents who are unable to provide informed consent due to mental or cognitive impairment,
2. Parents not fluent in Spanish.
3. Child's diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder or severe cognitive delay.

Where this trial is running

Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan

• University Diego Portales — Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan, Chile (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Stefanella Costa Cordella, PhD

Conditions: Child Maltreatment, Trauma, Psychological, mentalization-based treatments, , cultural adaptation, child maltreatment, caregiving relationship