The Chicago Parent Program for Foster Care: A Randomized Control Trial Examining the Prevention of Behavior Problems Among Young Children in Foster Care Through Group-based Foster Caregiver Training
Overview
- Phase
- N/A
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Behavior Problem
- Sponsor
- Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati
- Enrollment
- 300
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Change in Parenting Sense of Competence Scale
- Status
- Recruiting
- Last Updated
- last year
Overview
Brief Summary
The primary objective of this study is to test the effects of an evidence-based prevention intervention (CPP) adapted for foster and kinship caregivers of young children (FC; foster care) on caregiver competence and child behavior problems for children in foster care compared with an active comparator group that receives standard supports through the child welfare and healthcare systems (i.e., usual care).
Detailed Description
The purpose of the study is to evaluate the impact of an evidence-based parenting program, The Chicago Parent Program (CPP) adapted for foster and kinship caregivers of young children (CPP-FC). A parallel, two-arm, randomized controlled trial of 300 caregiver-youth dyads will be conducted, comparing the impact of CPP-FC versus a usual care control on caregivers and foster youth. Quantitative and qualitative data about CPP-FC will be collected from foster and kinship caregivers and through observations of caregivers and youth. The findings from this study will demonstrate whether CPP-FC is effective in reducing behavior problems in young foster children and whether that contributes to reduced caregiver stress, increased caregiver confidence, increased positive parenting behavior, and longer lengths of time that children remain with foster and kinship caregivers, preventing unnecessary moves from one caregiver to another and improving child wellbeing.
Investigators
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Must be a licensed foster caregiver or kinship caregiver to a foster child between the ages of 2 and less than 9 years of age
- •Must be a licensed foster caregiver or kinship caregiver to a foster child in Ohio and in the custody of Hamilton County Job and Family Services, Butler County Children Services, or Montgomery County Children Services
- •Must be in good standing with the foster care agency
- •Must be English-speaking
Exclusion Criteria
- •Not having a foster child between the ages of 2 and less than 9 years
- •The foster child not being in the custody of Ohio counties: Hamilton County Job and Family Services, Butler County Children Services, or Montgomery County Children Services
- •The foster child was placed in the home more than 45 days prior to enrollment
- •The foster child being moved out of the placement prior to the start of the intervention
- •The foster child having been previously enrolled with another caregiver
- •The caregiver having been previously enrolled with another child
- •The caregiver unable to commit to completing all study activities
- •The foster child is not enrolled in the study
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change in Parenting Sense of Competence Scale
Time Frame: Baseline, 3 months (mid-point), and 6 months (follow-up)
The Parenting Sense of Competence Scale is a 17-item questionnaire that measures overall parenting satisfaction and competence. Items are measured on a 6-point scale, with responses ranging from 1 ("Strongly disagree") to 6 ("Strongly agree"). Some items are reverse scored. Items are summed to yield two subscales: parental satisfaction and parental self-efficacy. Higher scores indicate higher levels of parental satisfaction and parental self-efficacy.
Change in Parental Stress Scale
Time Frame: Baseline, 3 months (mid-point), and 6 months (follow-up)
The Parental Stress Scale is an 18-item questionnaire that assesses parental stress relating to parental sensitivity to the child, child behavior, and quality of the caregiver-child relationship. Items are rated on a 5-point scale, ranging from 1 ("Strongly disagree") to 5 ("Strongly agree"). Some items are reverse scored. Items are summed to yield a total score, with higher scores indicating higher levels of parental stress.
Change in Perceived Stress Scale
Time Frame: Baseline, 3 months (mid-point), and 6 months (follow-up)
The Perceived Stress Scale is a 14-item self-report measure of how unpredictable, uncontrollable, and overloaded individuals find their life circumstances. All items are rated on a 5-point scale, ranging from 0 ("Never") to 4 ("very often"). Some items are reverse scored. Responses are summed to yield a total score (range 0-56), with higher scores indicating greater perceived stress.
The Child Adjustment & Parent Efficacy Scale, Total Intensity subscale
Time Frame: Baseline, 3 months (mid-point), and 6 months (follow-up)
The Child Adjustment \& Parent Efficacy Scale, Total Intensity subscale is a 27-item measure of child behavior and emotional problems. Item responses are rated on a 4-point scale, ranging from 0 ("Not true of my child at all") to 3 ("True of my child very much"/"Most of the time"). Twenty-four items are summed to yield a Behavior Problems score (range 0-72), and three items are summed to yield an Emotional Problems score (range 0-9). Behavioral and Emotional Problems scores can be summed for a Total Intensity score (range 0-81). Higher scores indicate a higher level of problems.
The Child Adjustment & Parent Efficacy Scale, Parenting Efficacy subscale
Time Frame: Baseline, 3 months (mid-point), and 6 months (follow-up)
The Child Adjustment \& Parent Efficacy Scale, Parenting Efficacy subscale is a 19-item measure of parental self-efficacy. Item responses are rated on a 10-point scale, with responses ranging from 1 ("Certain I can't do it") to 10 ("Certain I can do it"). Items are summed to yield a total efficacy score, with higher scores indicating higher self-efficacy.
Secondary Outcomes
- Change in Parenting Behaviors and Dimensions Questionnaire(Baseline, 3 months (mid-point), and 6 months (follow-up))
- Change in child self-regulation(Baseline and 3 months)
- Number of children experiencing placement change due to child behavior problems.(12 months)
- Change in child behavior(Baseline, 3 months (mid-point), and 6 months (follow-up))