The Effect of Nonviolent Resistance in Parent Group Training in Child Psychiatric Care

Parenting Clinical Trial

Official title: The Effect of Nonviolent Resistance in Parent Group Training in Child Psychiatric Care

Status Not yet recruiting

Clinical Trial Summary

In a Flemish sample of parents of children with psychiatric problems, this study evaluates the effect of a parent group training based on nonviolent resistance on family functioning, parenting variables and mental states of the parents, pre- and post-training.

Clinical Trial Description

Nonviolent Resistance (NVR) is an intervention method for families and teams that are suffering from helplessness and hopelessness. By empowering individuals through specific focus points and techniques, they can re-establish their role as authority figures for the child. The child, exhibiting dangerous and/or coercive behavior, can feel reconnected and guided.

Previous research has shown that parents score higher on General family functioning, Affective reactions and affective involvement, and Role definitions, but not Behavioral control, Problem solving and Communication. Positive effects were visible at a follow up moment, three months later. Parents reported significantly lower on anxiety for the aggression of their child, the self-efficiency about parental capacities and received social support. General parenting stress diminished significantly. A control group showed no such significant changes.

Participants with specific problems and waiting to be admitted in the residential ward at the study location can receive pre-care, in the form of a parental group training based on NVR. In six two weekly sessions, combined with intermediate telephone support and home assignments, parents are involved in important parent-child-oriented aspects.

This study will evaluate the effect of the training in a Flemish sample, focusing on family functioning, parenting variables and reflective functioning of the parents, pre- and post-training. T1 is at the time between invitation to participate and the first session; T2 is in the first week after the last session (T1 + 12 to 14 weeks); T3 is at three months after the last session; T4 is at six months after the last session.

The following primary outcomes are expected after the parent group:

• More behavior and mental states pointing towards NVR

• More use of adequate emotion regulation

• Less behavioral problems in the child

Secondary outcomes are expected, according to previous research measuring indirect effects of NVR treatment

• More adequate attunement to child

• More cohesion and structure in the family

• More adequate parenting behavior

• Less stress and burdening for parents

The investigators also expect parents with a more secure attachment style to benefit more (T2) and longer (T3 and T4) from the training. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Family Conflict
• Parenting

• NCT number: NCT05086328
• Study type: Observational
• Source: Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel
• Contact: Bart Colson, MA
• Phone: 003224776072
• Email: bart.colson@uzbrussel.be
• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Start date: October 2021
• Completion date: March 2024