Parenting support for mothers with substance use issues

Supporting the Implementation of a Parenting Intervention for Mothers With Substance Use Disorder in the Pediatric Medical Home

Not applicable Interventional Boston Medical Center · NCT06489522

This study tests a new parenting program called THRIVE to see if it can help mothers with substance use issues improve their parenting skills and support their young children’s development.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages3 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorBoston Medical Center Academic / other
Locations1 site (Boston, Massachusetts)
Trial IDNCT06489522 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates a parenting intervention called THRIVE, designed for mothers with substance use disorders and their young children. The intervention aims to enhance effective parenting skills through Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) within the supportive environment of the SOFAR clinic at Boston Medical Center. By addressing the unique challenges faced by these families, the program seeks to improve both maternal recovery and child development outcomes. The study focuses on mothers engaged in recovery and their children aged 3 to 6 years, providing a structured approach to foster responsive parenting.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include English-speaking mothers aged 18 and older with a child between 3 and 6 years old who are engaged in formal substance use disorder recovery.

Not a fit: Patients who are not the primary caregivers of a child within the specified age range or who are not engaged in recovery supports may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve parenting skills and child development for families affected by substance use disorders.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success with similar parenting interventions for families affected by substance use disorders, indicating a promising approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Mothers:

* English speaking
* ≥ 18 years of age
* Mother to an index child between 3 years, 0 months to 6 years, 11 months of age who receives primary care at Boston Medical Center
* Primary caregiver to the index child,
* Engaged in formal SUD recovery supports (e.g., medication for opioid use disorder, support groups specific to people in recovery and falls into one of these two enrollment groups: A) "high-risk" substance use disorder defined \>=1 episode of relapse within the past two years OR B) "low-risk" defined as zero episodes of relapse within the past two years.

Children:

* Between 3 years, 0 months to 6 years, 11 months of age,
* Enrolled mother is primary caregiver.

THRIVE Therapist:

* Embedded social worker in the SOFAR program delivering the THRIVE intervention

Clinical Stakeholders:

* Patient Navigators, program manager, pediatricians, peer recovery coaches involved in the care of mother-child dyads in the SOFAR Program.

Exclusion Criteria:

Mothers:

* Has an index child who has complex medical problems (e.g., autism spectrum disorder) that significantly impact the child's ability to interact with the parent (determination by child's primary care pediatrician)
* Severe cognitive limitation or medical or psychiatric condition that limits their capacity to provide informed consent
* Concurrent participation in another parent training intervention

Children:

* Has any complex medical problems (as assessed by their pediatrician) that significantly impact the child's ability to interact with the mother.

Where this trial is running

Boston, Massachusetts

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 Substance Use DisordersChildren of Mothers With Substance Use DisordersParent Child Interaction TherapyEffective parenting skillsTHRIVESOFAR clinicBoston Medical Center
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.