Parenting program to improve child stress outcomes

Leveraging Scientific Advances to Strengthen the Implementation, Evaluation, and Impacts of Intervention Programs for Children Experiencing Early Life Adversity

Not applicable Interventional University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · NCT06669624

This study is testing whether a parenting program can help reduce stress in young children and improve their relationships with their caregivers.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment150 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Academic / other
Locations1 site (Chapel Hill, South Carolina)
Trial IDNCT06669624 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This research aims to evaluate the effects of the Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC) parenting program on stress biomarkers in children aged 24 to 42 months. Approximately 150 caregiver-child dyads will participate, with caregivers either receiving the program immediately or being placed on a waitlist for four months. The study will involve online surveys, play-based observational tasks, and the collection of non-invasive biological samples from both caregivers and children at multiple time points. The goal is to assess how the ABC program impacts child behavior and caregiver-child relationships in the context of social risk factors.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include primary caregivers aged 18 or older who speak English or Spanish and have children aged 24 to 42 months experiencing social risk factors.

Not a fit: Patients with diagnosed genetic or congenital disorders or significant medical issues may not benefit from this intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly reduce stress in children and improve their behavioral outcomes.

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

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Parent/Caregiver Inclusion Criteria :

* Aged 18 or older
* Speaks English or Spanish
* Is the parent or legal guardian with legal custody of a child aged between 24 months and 42 months
* Is a primary caregiver/parent
* Has a home-like environment in which to participate in the intervention

Child Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged between 24 months and 42 months at enrollment
* Lives with the parent/caregiver at least 50% of the time
* Has experienced social risk factors, including low income, community or family violence, previous trauma/adversity exposure, prolonged separation from caregiver, significant difficulties in relationship with caregiver Child Exclusion Criteria
* Has a diagnosed genetic or congenital disorders, including but not limited to Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, endocrine disorders (or is using steroid medications, including human growth hormone), or was born with birth defects

Where this trial is running

Chapel Hill, South Carolina

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 Parenting InterventionStressCaregiver Child RelationshipChild Behavior ProblemMental HealthAttachment and Biobehavioral CatchUpRISE studyChild behavior
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.