Fostering Healthy Relationships Through Telehealth Parent Child Interaction Therapy for Families of South Carolina

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) delivered through telehealth (Tele-PCIT) for young children aged 2 to 7 who are at risk for adverse childhood experiences or trauma exposure. This trial aims to assess how feasible, acceptable, and engaging Tele-PCIT is, as well as its initial effects on child behavior, parenting skills, and trauma symptoms. The study includes 40 children with behavioral concerns who score at risk on childhood adverse event measures. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group receives a time-limited 10-session Tele-PCIT intervention where therapists coach parents via video calls during weekly one-hour sessions, focusing first on increasing positive behaviors and then on managing negative behaviors through discipline strategies. The other group is placed on a waitlist control with a delayed start of Tele-PCIT after 12 weeks. Tele-PCIT sessions involve communication through video on devices like phones, tablets, or computers, with a Bluetooth headset. Families in both groups complete evaluations at the start, 12 weeks later, and again at a 3-month follow-up to measure child behavior, parenting practices, and trauma-related symptoms. These assessments help researchers understand the therapy's impact and monitor progress. The study is sponsored by the Medical University of South Carolina and participation will last several months with ongoing monitoring of behavioral and trauma-related outcomes.

Tele-PCIT for Healthy Relationships in Families At-Risk