Behavioral Program to Improve Food Allergy Self-Management for Early Adolescents Aged 10 to 14

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a new behavioral program called the Food Allergy Mastery FAM program designed to help early adolescents with food allergies improve their self-management skills and adjustment. This program focuses on food allergy education, problem-solving, communication, anxiety management, and peer support to assist youth and their caregivers. The study aims to understand how this intervention affects food allergy knowledge, behavior, psychosocial functioning, and healthcare use, including examining if race or ethnicity influences these outcomes. The FAM program includes six 45-minute sessions delivered biweekly over three months by trained counselors via telehealth or in person. Sessions involve both youth and caregivers, with a group session for peers, individual youth sessions, and combined youth-caregiver sessions. Participants randomized to this program receive these sessions alongside their usual allergy care, while others receive only their usual care. Participants will be assessed through surveys and tests measuring changes in food allergy knowledge, management skills such as label reading and epinephrine use, quality of life, anxiety, social support, and healthcare visits at baseline and follow-ups at 6, 12, and 18 months. The study tracks improvements in self-management behaviors and healthcare use, aiming to reduce emergency visits and improve quality of life. The total study duration includes these follow-ups, supporting long-term monitoring of outcomes.

Evaluation of The Food Allergy Mastery Program