A Randomized Controlled Effectiveness Trial of Supportive Parents - Coping Kids to Prevent Childhood Mental Health Problems in Norwegian Frontline Services

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of a parent training program called Supportive Parents - Coping Kids (SPARCK) to prevent and reduce childhood mental health problems. This trial focuses on children aged 4 to 12 who show elevated but not clinical symptoms of anxiety, depression, or behavioral issues. The study also examines how the intervention is implemented and its relation to clinical outcomes in Norwegian frontline services. Families will be randomly assigned to receive either the SPARCK intervention or regular care provided by Norwegian child welfare, health, and school services. SPARCK includes up to 12 sessions with parents, sometimes involving children, and combines behavioral management with other strategies from attachment theory and cognitive behavioral therapy. Regular care includes a variety of active behavioral treatments. Assessments occur before treatment, at completion or up to 25 weeks, and six months after treatment ends. Participants will complete symptom questionnaires and provide hair samples to measure stress hormones before and after treatment. Researchers will also evaluate parenting practices, parental self-efficacy and stress, referrals to specialized services, and quality of life for children and parents. The study includes monitoring for any harm and collects data on implementation factors. Participation lasts through treatment and follow-up assessments, with some outcomes tracked up to five years later.

Testing the Effectiveness of Supportive Parents - Coping Kids