Recruiting

Testing the Effectiveness of Supportive Parents - Coping Kids

ClinicalTrials.gov IDNCT05800522

PhaseNA

Enrollment252

SponsorNorwegian Center for Child Behavioral Development

Age4 Years

SexALL

I'm interested View official listing

Conditions studied

Conduct Problems, Anxiety Symptoms, Depressive Symptoms

About this study

The aim of this clinical trial is to test the effectiveness of the parent training intervention Supportive Parents - Coping Kids (SPARCK) for prevention of childhood mental health problems. The main research questions are: • Is SPARCK effective in preventing and reducing negative outcomes and promoting positive outcomes for eligible children and parents compared with regular care practice? In addition, investigators will conduct an implementation study to examine relations between implementation determinants and implementation and clinical outcomes in the SPARCK intervention condition Participants in the effectiveness trial will be randomized to receive either the SPARCK intervention or active regular care practices provided by professionals in the Norwegian frontline services. Researchers will test the effectiveness of the SPARCK intervention at post treatment and six months follow-up.

Interventions

Behavioral: Behavioral parent or child directed intervention — Control group will include different behavioral interventions that may include caretakers or the target child, and thus may vary in scope and intensity.
Behavioral: Supportive Parents - Coping Kids — Intervention group will receive the transdiagnostic parent intervention (SPARCK). SPARCK is designed to include up to 12 sessions with caretakers. If necessary and applicable, children can attend sessions. The starting point for the development of SPARCK has been the Social Interaction Learning model, which represents the behavioral management perspective. In addition, SPARCK consists of empirically supported components based on attachment theory, emotion socialization, CBT, and family accommodation. Thus, content and strategies have been collected from different theories to provide a diverse toolkit tailored to address transdiagnostic problems in families with externalizing, internalizing, and caregiver challenges. SPARCK content and target strategies are tailored to the needs of the families and children, and the manual explains the content and how the target strategies may be tailored and combined.

Primary outcomes

Change in symptoms of child anxiety and depression measured by Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (Pre (at respondent study inclusion), post (at treatment termination or up to 25 weeks), and follow-up (6 months after post assessment))
Change in child problem behaviors measured by Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (Pre (at respondent study inclusion), post (at treatment termination or up to 25 weeks), and follow-up (6 months after post assessment))

Eligibility information

Inclusion Criteria: * Children displaying elevated symptoms of internalizing or/and externalizing problems Exclusion Criteria: * Child is referred to or receives ongoing help in the specialized mental health services for problems in the internalizing or externalizing domains * Child is diagnosed with psychosis, mental retardation or pervasive developmental disorder * Acute suicide risk * Documented or probable ongoing physical or sexual abuse * Child or caretakers receives other systematic interventions targeting internalizing or externalizing problems while enrolled in the study (prior to 6 month follow-up)

Study locations

National Center for Child Behavioral Development, Oslo, Norway

Before you participate: Varda Clinical is an independent discovery tool, not the study sponsor or a medical provider. Eligibility can only be determined by the official study team. Discuss potential risks and benefits with a qualified healthcare professional.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov. Record last refreshed by Varda Clinical: 2026-09-27.