Supporting parents to improve preschool children's attention and behaviour

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

BRIDGE brings together Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, behavior management, emotion socialization, and mindfulness parenting delivered to caregivers to target maternal psychological distress and promote child self-regulation. In this interventional project, mothers with clinically significant depressive symptoms and children aged 3–7 with elevated attention or behaviour problems are assigned to the BRIDGE program or a control condition. The study measures feasibility (attendance, satisfaction, unmet needs) and clinical outcomes using caregiver-reported tools such as the Patient Health Questionnaire and the Child Behavior Checklist. The aim is to see whether a scalable dual-generation intervention can improve parental mental health, child self-regulation, and overall family well-being.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

BRIDGE Therapy Group:

Participants are deemed eligible for the BRIDGE therapy group if they meet the following criteria:

1. Above the age of 18.
2. Self-identify as a mother of a child between the age of 3-7 years old.
3. Currently living in Quebec, Ontario, or Manitoba
4. Fluency in English.
5. Mothers must have clinically significant symptoms of depression (mild to moderate on the Patient Health Questionnaire and indicate symptoms to "somewhat cause difficulties") currently affecting them. Participants also need to report symptoms of depression during pregnancy or shortly after birth.
6. Their child has attention and/or behavior problems (T-score \> 65 on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) ADHD subscales) or confirmed attention and/or behavior problems through clinical interview.

Control Group:

Participants are deemed eligible for the Control group if they meet the following criteria:

1. Above the age of 18
2. Self-identify as a mother of a child between the age of 3-7 years old
3. Currently living in Quebec, Ontario, or Manitoba
4. Fluency in English or bilingual
5. Mothers must NOT have clinically significant symptoms of depression (mild to moderate on the Patient Health Questionnaire)
6. Their child DOES NOT have attention and/or behavior problems (T-score \> 65 on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) ADHD subscales).

Exclusion Criteria:

BRIDGE Therapy Group:

Participants were excluded if they A) did not meet the inclusion criteria listed above or B) were unable to attend the weekly BRIDGE group therapy sessions.

Furthermore, eligible participants were invited to complete a semi-structured intake interview with principal investigator (PI) Dr. Tasmia Hai or a graduate student trainee under Dr. Hai's supervision, during which further questions about their mental health and child behavior were asked to ensure their eligibility. Based on the clinical suitability interview, participants may be excluded if they are deemed to be ineligible based on A) the mother's absence of clinically significant mental health symptoms, and/or B) the child's absence of attention and/or behavior problems. When relevant, participants may be identified to participate in the control group instead if eligibility is met.

Control Group:

Participants were excluded if they did not meet the inclusion criteria listed above. Furthermore, eligible participants were invited to complete a semi-structured intake interview with principal investigator (PI) Dr. Tasmia Hai, during which further questions about their mental health and child behavior were asked to ensure their eligibility. Based on the clinical suitability interview, participants may be excluded if they are deemed to be ineligible based on a) the mother's presence of clinically significant mental health symptoms, and/or B) the child's presence of attention and/or behavior problems. When relevant, participants may be identified to participate in the BRIDGE therapy group instead if eligibility is met.

Where it's running

• McGill University - Department of Education and Counselling Psychology
  Montreal, Quebec, Canada Recruiting
• University of Manitoba - Department of Psychology
  Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Enrolling by invitation

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Tasmia Hai, PhD
• Email: tasmia.hai@umanitoba.ca
• Phone: 204-474- 8258

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Understanding factors affecting children and adolescents in the child welfare system

  This study looks at the mental and physical health of children and teens in the child welfare system to see how they change over two years.

  Recruiting at 5 sites University Hospital, Rouen · Canteleu and 4 other locations · NCT05525962

• Pediatric Outpatient Health Data Cohort in Switzerland

  This study tests the PROS-CH data-collection system in pediatric primary care to see if routine tools can build a useful cohort of children under age 2 for common health issues.

  Recruiting Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern · Bern · NCT07911228

• Do electric fans help kids stay cooler during heat waves

  This study tests whether using electric fans at midday helps children and young adults stay cooler and feel better when exposed to prolonged indoor heat.

  Recruiting University of Ottawa · Ottawa, Ontario · NCT07864103

• Sports-based cognitive therapy for kids with attention/behavior challenges

  The study tests a sports-based cognitive therapy program to see if it improves attention, memory, and behavior in school-aged children with mild to moderate difficulties.

  Recruiting Riphah International University · Chak Six Hundred Twenty-four, Kpk · NCT07786532

• How kids and young adults regulate body temperature during exercise at different ambient temperatures

  This study tests how children aged 9-16 and young adults aged 20-25 handle heat during exercise at four different room temperatures.

  Recruiting University of Ottawa · Ottawa, Ontario · NCT07781605

• VIPP-SD for Singapore: Improving Sensitive Parenting to Support Early Childhood Growth

  This trial tests whether adapting a proven parenting program (VIPP-SD) for Singapore improves how parents respond to their young children and helps emotional, behavioral, and cognitive development.

  Recruiting at 5 sites National University of Singapore · Singapore, Singapore and 4 other locations · NCT07687524

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.