Study of an Optimized Parenting Program for Adolescents Aged 10-14 and Their Caregivers in Eastern Europe to Improve Mental Health and Family Well-Being

What this Trial Is About

This research evaluates the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and scalability of the optimized Parenting for Lifelong Health PLH for Parents and Teens program designed for adolescents aged 10 to 14 and their caregivers in Moldova and North Macedonia. The study focuses on improving adolescent mental health and family functioning in low- and middle-income countries, addressing challenges like socio-economic stressors and limited mental health services. This is a randomized waitlist controlled trial as Phase 3 of the FLOURISH project following prior feasibility and optimization phases. Participants receive the optimized PLH program delivered in groups of about 10 families over seven weeks, including one pre-program visit and six weekly group sessions lasting about two hours each. Sessions involve both caregivers and adolescents together and separately, focusing on strengthening relationships, emotional management, problem-solving, and positive parenting techniques. Families assigned to the waitlist control group will complete the same assessments but receive the program after a six-month follow-up. Participants will complete assessments at baseline, post-intervention 8-12 weeks after baseline, and six-month follow-up to measure changes in adolescent emotional and behavioral problems, family functioning, parenting practices, and quality of life. Various standardized questionnaires will be used for both adolescents and caregivers. The study includes monitoring of family communication, loneliness, emotional well-being, and resource use. The trial lasts from recruitment beginning in October 2025 until November 2026, with ongoing supervision of program delivery to maintain quality.

Randomized Controlled Trial of a Family-focused Intervention for Caregivers and Young Adolescents (Phase 3 of FLOURISH)