Support Program for Families with Children Having Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities Improving Communication and Reducing Family Stress with a 4-Week Intervention

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a preventive program designed to support families that include a child with intellectual andor developmental disabilities IDD. The study aims to reduce family stress and conflict, improve well-being and adjustment for parents and typically developing TD siblings, and enhance adaptive functioning for the child with IDD. This randomized, controlled trial uses a family-systems approach to test a psycho-educational and communication training program adapted from a previously validated intervention. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups a treatment group receiving psychoeducation and communication coaching over four weeks, or a control group receiving self-study materials and regular contact with study personnel. The study involves families with a child with IDD and a TD sibling aged 11 to 17 years. The intervention is delivered either in center sessions or through at-home self-study resources. Families participate in a pre-test assessment followed by three post-test assessments over the course of one year, including 6-month and 1-year follow-ups. Researchers will assess changes in marital satisfaction, family functioning, sibling emotional security, adjustment, depressive symptoms, and adaptive functioning of the child with IDD. Data collection includes surveys, behavioral coding, and daily diaries to monitor family interactions and program effects.

Families of Youth with Developmental Disabilities: a Theory-Based Intervention