Actively Recruiting
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Based Training Programme to Reduce Parental Burnout and Improve Children's Emotional and Behavioural Adjustment: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial
Led by Chinese University of Hong Kong · Updated on 2025-07-10
120
Participants Needed
2
Research Sites
52 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
C
Chinese University of Hong Kong
Lead Sponsor
H
Harmony House
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Parental burnout, especially in high-stress families affected by child maltreatment or domestic violence, is a growing concern. Researchers are evaluating an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based program aimed at reducing parental burnout and improving children's emotional and behavioral adjustment in families in Hong Kong. This pilot randomized controlled trial also seeks to provide insights for better parenting interventions and child protection policies. Parents in the ACT intervention group will participate in a six-week, group-based parenting program that combines ACT techniques like mindfulness, values-based parenting, and cognitive defusion with positive parenting skills. Children aged 6 to 11 will join a child-focused ACT program designed to support their emotional regulation and resilience using experiential learning and storytelling. Both programs consist of weekly 90-minute sessions. The control group will receive standard services and will be offered the ACT intervention after the initial three-month study period. During the study, parents and children will be assessed at baseline, immediately after the program, and three months post-intervention. Researchers will measure changes in parental burnout, children's emotional and behavioral adjustment, psychological flexibility for both parents and children, adaptive parenting behaviors, and the quality of parent-child relationships. The study involves collaboration with Harmony Home Limited and includes follow-up assessments to track the intervention's impact over time.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
ACT-Based Training for Parental Burnout and Child Well-being
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Cantonese-speaking Hong Kong residents aged between 19 and 65 years for parents
- Primary caregivers of a child aged 3 to 11 years
- Identified by school social workers as being at risk of domestic violence or experiencing emotional distress
- Children aged 3 to 11 years who are Cantonese-speaking Hong Kong residents
- Participants able to understand and communicate in Cantonese
- Both parents and children must provide informed consent to participate and complete assessments
You will not qualify if you...
- Parents diagnosed with severe mental illnesses
- Parents with developmental disabilities affecting comprehension of the program
- Parents with cognitive, language, communication, visual, or hearing impairments that limit understanding
- Parents currently involved in other psychosocial, psychoeducational, or parenting interventions
- Parents with active substance abuse issues
- Children diagnosed with psychological or medical conditions
- Families unable or unwilling to attend six-week sessions or complete follow-up assessments
- Families lacking access to transportation or resources needed to attend sessions
- Participants unable to understand or communicate in Cantonese and Chinese during the intervention and assessments
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 6 weeks
Parents participate in a six-week, group-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) program with behavioral parenting training. Children aged 6-11 also participate in a child-focused ACT program designed to support emotional regulation and resilience.
Weekly 90-minute sessions for parents and children
Duration - 3 months post-intervention
Participants are assessed for changes in parental burnout, children's emotional and behavioral adjustment, psychological flexibility, parenting behaviors, and parent-child relationship quality up to 3 months after the intervention.
1 follow-up visit immediately post-intervention and 1 follow-up visit at 3 months post-intervention
Trial Site Locations
Total: 2 locations
1
Harmony House Limited
Kwun Tong, Hong Kong
Actively Recruiting
2
Chinese University of Hong Kong
Shatin, Hong Kong
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
Y
Yuen Yu CHONG, PhD
C
Choi Hung TANG
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
Similar Trials
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions? Get in touch with our team for quick support
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here