Testing new interventions to improve caregiver-child interactions and mental health

Efficacy of the Mediational Intervention for Sensitizing Caregivers - Teachers' Version (MISC-T) and Self-Administered Version (MISC-SA) to Improve the Quality of Caregivers' Interactions and Children Mental Health (MISC-SA/T Project)

This study is testing two new ways to help teachers and caregivers connect better with children and see if it improves the kids' mental health and the teachers' well-being compared to regular treatment.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 105 (estimated)
• Ages: 22 Years to 70 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Barcelona, Spain/Catalonia)
• Trial ID: NCT06150313 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This parallel randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of two new versions of the Mediational Intervention for Sensitizing Caregivers (MISC) specifically designed for teachers and self-administration. The study will assess whether these interventions can enhance the quality of interactions between caregivers and children, as well as improve children's mental health compared to a control group receiving standard treatment. Additionally, it will explore the potential benefits for teachers' well-being in the school environment. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the three intervention groups over a 17-month period.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are teachers of school or preschool-age children who are also parents or caregivers.

Not a fit: Patients who are not teachers or caregivers of school-age children may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly enhance the mental health and well-being of both caregivers and children.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in similar interventions aimed at enhancing caregiver-child interactions, suggesting potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria:

Teachers of school- or preschool-age children, currently teaching, who are parents (either of a school-age child (6-12 years old) or an adolescent (12-18)), or who can record interactions with a similar age close child (e.g., nephew). The "parent" condition is important because a) it allows participants to do this training with a very close child (son/daughter) with who it is easy to record daily-life interactions to then train using video-feedback, a key element in MISC (Mediational Intervention for Sensitizing Caregivers); b) because it allows a uniform measurement of the impact of parental MISC intervention in the mental health of the children currently (daily) exposed to those parents (their sons/daughters). The "teacher" condition allows to examine to what extent MISC training effects might be transferred beyond the own child (with whom the training is done: son / daughter) and can be extended to other contexts like the school setting.

1. Teachers at school- (6-12) or preschool (3-6) in active
2. Parents who have a son or daughter 6-18 years old
3. Possibilities to receive at least 1 of the 3 interventions
4. Understanding Catalan
5. Written informed content

Exclusion criteria:

1. Teachers who are not currently teaching in school or preschool degrees
2. Impossibility to record interaction with a significant child
3. Inability to attend the intervention randomly assigned

Where this trial is running

Barcelona, Spain/Catalonia

• Sergi Ballespí — Barcelona, Spain/Catalonia, Spain (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Sergi Ballespí, PI — Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
• Study coordinator: Ana Carolina Pacheco, Researcher

Conditions Randomized Controlled Trial