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Open Access 16-03-2023 | COVID-19 | Original Paper

Evaluating the Efficacy of the Family Check-Up Online to Improve Parent Mental Health and Family Functioning in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Authors: Arin M. Connell, Elizabeth A. Stormshak

Published in: Journal of Prevention | Issue 3/2023

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of an enhanced version of the Family Check-Up Online (FCU-O), adapted to address parent and family functioning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to increase accessibility, the FCU-O was delivered as a web-based application coupled with online coaching support, a service delivery model that is consistent with pandemic-related limitations for in-person intervention, as well as the limited staffing and resources available in many schools and health care settings despite the increased need for mental health services driven by the pandemic. This registered clinical trial (blinded) tested the effects of the intervention on parental mental health, parenting behaviors, and family functioning from pre-treatment to 2-month follow-up. Families were randomly assigned to receive the FCU-O (N = 74) or to a wait-list control condition (N = 87). Random assignment to the FCU-O was associated with significant improvements in parental well-being, including reduced anxiety, depression, and perceived stress. Further, the FCU-O predicted significant improvements in adaptive parenting skills (e.g. less negative/coercive parenting, greater proactive parenting), and enhancements in family-relational functioning (e.g. improved coparenting). Effect sizes were small to moderate in magnitude (partial eta squared values between 0.03 and 0.11). The results indicate that online delivery of a family-centered intervention may represent a promising approach for addressing pandemic-related impacts on parent and family functioning.

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Title: Evaluating the Efficacy of the Family Check-Up Online to Improve Parent Mental Health and Family Functioning in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Arin M. Connell
Elizabeth A. Stormshak
Publication date: 16-03-2023
Publisher: Springer US
Keyword: COVID-19
Published in: Journal of Prevention / Issue 3/2023
Print ISSN: 2731-5533
Electronic ISSN: 2731-5541
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-023-00727-1

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Evaluating the Efficacy of the Family Check-Up Online to Improve Parent Mental Health and Family Functioning in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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