Family Support Program for Adolescents and Parents in Palestine to Improve Emotional Well-being and Relationships

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a family-based intervention program designed to support children and families affected by sociopolitical conflict in Palestine, including the West Bank and Gaza. This study aims to address emotional and behavioral problems related to exposure to chronic violence by promoting family resilience and emotional security. The trial is a randomized clinical trial with 300 families, divided evenly between the West Bank and Gaza, to test the effects of the intervention compared to usual treatment. The study compares a group-based program called Promoting Positive Family Futures PPFF, which includes 8 sessions of about 1.5 hours each focusing on emotional and cognitive awareness, conflict resolution, and family communication, against a treatment as usual TAU condition where families participate in weekly adolescent-only support groups. Both programs are grounded in cultural and theoretical frameworks relevant to the context of Palestine. Participants will be assessed at four points baseline, 10 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after the intervention begins. Researchers will measure a variety of outcomes including parental depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, emotional security within the family, adolescent adjustment and prosocial skills, family conflict and cohesion, attachment, emotion regulation, and overall well-being. Data collection is done by trained staff, and the study includes ongoing follow-up to understand long-term effects and treatment processes.

An Evidence-based Family Support Program for Parents and Children in Palestine: A Theory-based Intervention