Actively Recruiting
Effectiveness of Group-based Nonviolent Communication Interventions for Improving Mental Well-being in Parents: a Randomised Controlled Trial
Led by Hong Kong Metropolitan University · Updated on 2025-09-17
172
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
4 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating the effects of face-to-face Nonviolent Communication (NVC) training on parents' mental well-being, parenting stress, depression, anxiety symptoms, and child emotional and behavioral problems. This randomized controlled trial will include 172 parents with primary-school-age children who have mild to severe symptoms of depression or anxiety. The study is led by Hong Kong Metropolitan University and aims to explore how NVC skills can improve family dynamics and parental mental health. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a waitlist control group. The intervention group will receive six weekly face-to-face NVC training sessions, each lasting 1.5 hours, led by trained social workers. The sessions cover key NVC principles such as distinguishing observations from evaluations, expressing feelings, and making positive requests. The waitlist control group will receive no training during the initial assessment period but will complete the same sessions after all study assessments are finished. Parents will be assessed at three time points: before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and three months later. Measurements include well-being, NVC skills, parenting stress, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and child emotional and behavioral problems. Additionally, qualitative interviews will gather participants' experiences with NVC. Social workers delivering the intervention will also be evaluated before and after their training and again at 10 months. The total study period includes baseline assessments, intervention delivery, follow-up, and delayed training for the control group.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Nonviolent Communication for Parents
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Parents aged 24 to 59 years with children of primary school age
- Mild to severe depressive symptoms (score >5 on PHQ-9) and/or mild to severe anxiety symptoms (score >5 on GAD-7)
- Residents of Hong Kong who understand Cantonese
You will not qualify if you...
- Currently under psychiatric treatment or psychotherapy groups and considered unstable by recruiting social workers
- Participating in other related parenting programmes
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
Participants in the intervention group attend six weekly 1.5-hour face-to-face Nonviolent Communication training sessions delivered by trained social workers.
6 weekly visits (in-person)
Duration - 3 months
Participants are assessed for mental well-being, NVC skills, parenting stress, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and child emotional and behavioural problems up to 3 months after the intervention ends.
1 visit at immediate post-intervention and 1 visit at 3 months post-intervention
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
The Jockey Club Institute of Healthcare of Hong Kong Metropolitan University
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
G
Grace Yuying Sun, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
Number of Arms
2
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