A Virtual Parent-led Support Group for Parents of Children and Youth With Eating Disorders: A Mixed Methods Feasibility Study Examining Acceptability, Cost and Parent Outcomes

NCT04686864 | Completed Early Phase 1

• 1 other identifier: 12703
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 36
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

There is a gap in the literature about the feasibility and implementation of parent-led support groups for parents who have children or adolescents with eating disorders. In this study, we will be observing the experiences of 40 parents in Ontario who will virtually participate in one of 3 parent-led support groups for parents of children and youth with eating disorders. Parents will be expected to attend the virtual sessions twice a month over the course of six months. We hope to evaluate the acceptability, cost, and parental outcomes of the parent-led support groups via surveys before, during, and after the study, as well as using a post-study interview.

Conditions

Eating Disorders

Keywords

eating disorder; parent support group

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Change in number of parents who remain in the support group

  We will compare the number of parents who initially sign up for the support group to how many parents have stayed in the support group 6 months later.

  Baseline and 6 months later

• Number of support groups each parent attends

  We will take note of how many support groups the parent attends in a 6 month period.

  6 months after baseline

• Cost

  To assess cost, we will collect data on the costs of the technology, software, and time (of parents and the facilitator).

  12 months after baseline

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Change in Carer Burden

  Baseline, 3 months, 6 months

• Change in Carer Needs

  Baseline, 3 months, 6 months

• Change in Parental Self Efficacy and Collaboration

  Baseline, 3 months, 6 months

Study Arms (1)

Parent Support Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Support and psychoeducation in a group setting for parents who have a child or adolescent with an eating disorder.

Behavioral: Support Group for Caregivers

Interventions

Support Group for Caregivers BEHAVIORAL

Engage parents in the community via this support group, so they can be supported by other parents who "know the system", can advise them on how to proceed, and empower them to help their children. Parents will learn psychoeducation about eating disorders and how to support their children.

Parent Support Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 100 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• have the capacity to write, speak and understand English, in order to participate in the sessions
• have access to the internet/computer to participate in the sessions
• must have a child or adolescent with an eating disorder.

You may not qualify if:

• don't have the capacity to write, speak and understand English
• don't have access to the internet/computer
• don't have a child or adolescent with an eating disorder

Sponsors & Collaborators

• McMaster University: lead

Study Sites (1)

McMaster University

Hamilton, Ontario, L8N3Z5, Canada

Location

Related Publications (2)

• Nicula M, Grennan L, Loewen T, Crews E, Giuliani K, Webb C, Gouveia MR, Couturier J. Virtual parent-led peer support groups for parents of children with eating disorders: A mixed methods feasibility study. Int J Eat Disord. 2023 Nov;56(11):2107-2119. doi: 10.1002/eat.24042. Epub 2023 Aug 14.

  PMID: 37578287 DERIVED

• Grennan L, Nicula M, Pellegrini D, Giuliani K, Crews E, Webb C, Gouveia MR, Loewen T, Couturier J. "I'm not alone": a qualitative report of experiences among parents of children with eating disorders attending virtual parent-led peer support groups. J Eat Disord. 2022 Dec 15;10(1):195. doi: 10.1186/s40337-022-00719-2.

  PMID: 36522772 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Feeding and Eating Disorders

Interventions

Self-Help Groups; Caregivers

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Signs and Symptoms, Digestive; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Mental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Organizations; Health Care Economics and Organizations; Health Personnel; Health Care Facilities Workforce and Services

Study Officials

• Jennifer Couturier, MD MSc

  McMaster University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: early phase 1
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Dr. Jennifer Couturier

Model Details: We studied the implementation of a virtual parent-led peer support group.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 15, 2020
• First Posted: December 29, 2020
• Study Start: January 21, 2021
• Primary Completion: January 21, 2022
• Study Completion: January 21, 2022
• Last Updated: September 10, 2022

Record last verified: 2022-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CA (1)