Strengths to Grow: An Online Parenting Resource

NCT05535881 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 21-08-001
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 400
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Research suggests that strength-based parenting programs can enhance family well-being, but the current formats of these programs (e.g., in-person workshops) are not accessible to many families. The first aim of the study is to develop a strength-based parenting program that is delivered in an accessible and engaging format. A community sample of parents will interact with the online program and complete a brief interview to provide suggestions to increase accessibility and engagement. The second aim of the study is to assess the effectiveness of a strength-based parenting program delivered in an online, interactive format. Toward this end, parents of children in kindergarten to Grade 3 will be invited to complete a brief, online survey of well-being before and a few weeks after completing the online program to assess its impact on well-being.

Conditions

Happiness; Self Efficacy; Positive Affect

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Parenting Sense of Competence Scale: Efficacy Subscale

  The efficacy subscale of the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale (PSOC) is a 7-item measure of caregivers' perceived competence and capability in handling child problems (e.g., "I honestly believe I have all the skills necessary to be a good parent to my child"). Participants respond to each item using a 6-point scale ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree. Total scores range from 7 to 42 with higher scores indicate higher caregiving self-efficacy.

  1 week

• Modified Differential Emotions Scale

  The Modified Differential Emotions Scale (mDES) is a ten-item measure of the frequency of positive emotions. Participants rate how often they have felt a particular positive emotion (e.g., grateful) in the past two weeks using a 5-point scale ranging from "never" to "most of the time". Consistent with Waters and Sun (2016), the scale instructions will be modified to assess the frequency of positive emotions felt in relation to the parents' child (i.e., "Thinking about your child(ren), how often do you feel each of the following?") Total scores range from 10 to 50 with higher scores indicate more positive emotions toward the child(ren).

  1 week

• Subjective Happiness Scale

  The four-item Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) assesses participant's sense of their overall well-being. Participants respond to items (e.g., Some people are generally very happy. They enjoy life regardless of what is going on, getting the most out of everything. To what extent does this characterization describe you?) on a 7-point scale that differs across items. Total scores range from 4 to 28 with higher scores indicate higher happiness.

  1 week

Study Arms (2)

Experimental Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Behavioral: Strengths to Grow Program

Waitlist Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Interventions

Strengths to Grow Program BEHAVIORAL

In an online, self-directed format, the Strengths to Grow program will present the principles of strength-based parenting using videos, pictures, reflection questions, and written text. The intervention will communicate that a) every child has a unique set of strengths and that b) noticing and developing these strengths can enhance child and family well-being. It will also provide concrete steps that parents can follow to talk with their child about strengths, and it will provide ideas for family activities that would allow family members to express strengths. Participants will be invited to respond to reflection questions at various points throughout the program.

Experimental Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Parent of a child(ren) who is enrolled in Kindergarten to Grade 3 at the Upper Grand District School Board in Guelph, Ontario
• Able to read and write in English (linguistic proficiency equivalent to a Grade 8 reading level or greater)
• Consent to participate in the research study

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Guelph: lead

Study Sites (1)

Upper Grand District School Board

Guelph, Ontario, N1E 6K2, Canada

Location

Related Publications (20)

• Danaher BG, Boles SM, Akers L, Gordon JS, Severson HH. Defining participant exposure measures in Web-based health behavior change programs. J Med Internet Res. 2006 Aug 30;8(3):e15. doi: 10.2196/jmir.8.3.e15.

  PMID: 16954125 BACKGROUND

• Eisner M, Meidert U. Stages of parental engagement in a universal parent training program. J Prim Prev. 2011 Apr;32(2):83-93. doi: 10.1007/s10935-011-0238-8.

  PMID: 21424399 BACKGROUND

• Fernandez MA, Eyberg SM. Predicting treatment and follow-up attrition in parent-child interaction therapy. J Abnorm Child Psychol. 2009 Apr;37(3):431-41. doi: 10.1007/s10802-008-9281-1.

  PMID: 19096926 BACKGROUND

• Fredrickson, B. L. (2013). Chapter One-Positive Emotions Broaden and Build. In P. Devine & A. Plant (Eds.), Advances in Experimental Social Psychology (Vol. 47, pp. 1-53). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-407236-7.00001-2

  BACKGROUND

• Ivtzan, I., Niemiec, R. M., & Briscoe, C. (2016). A study investigating the effects of Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice (MBSP) on wellbeing. International Journal of Wellbeing, 6(2), 1-13. https://doi.org/10/gfscgj

  BACKGROUND

• Jach, H. K., Sun, J., Loton, D., Chin, T.-C., & Waters, L. (2018). Strengths and subjective wellbeing in adolescence: Strength-based parenting and the moderating effect of mindset. Journal of Happiness Studies, 19(2), 567-586. https://doi.org/10/gfscg9

  BACKGROUND

• Johnston, C., & Mash, E. J. (1989). A Measure of Parenting Satisfaction and Efficacy. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 18(2), 167-175. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15374424jccp1802_8

  BACKGROUND

• Kazdin, A. E., & Rabbitt, S. M. (2013). Novel models for delivering mental health services and reducing the burdens of mental illness. Clinical Psychological Science, 1(2), 170-191. https://doi.org/10/gc4pnm

  BACKGROUND

• Lavigne JV, Lebailly SA, Gouze KR, Binns HJ, Keller J, Pate L. Predictors and correlates of completing behavioral parent training for the treatment of oppositional defiant disorder in pediatric primary care. Behav Ther. 2010 Jun;41(2):198-211. doi: 10.1016/j.beth.2009.02.006. Epub 2009 Dec 5.

  PMID: 20412885 BACKGROUND

• Lyubomirsky, S., & Lepper, H. S. (1999). A Measure of Subjective Happiness: Preliminary Reliability and Construct Validation. Social Indicators Research, 46(2), 137-155. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006824100041

  BACKGROUND

• McGoron, L., & Ondersma, S. J. (2015). Reviewing the need for technological and other expansions of evidence-based parent training for young children. Children and Youth Services Review, 59, 71-83. https://doi.org/10/f8bhbv

  BACKGROUND

• O'Byrne R, Thompson R, Friedmann JS, Lumley MN. Parent Engagement with an Online, School-Based, Character Strengths Promotion Program. Int J Appl Posit Psychol. 2022;7(3):355-377. doi: 10.1007/s41042-022-00072-4. Epub 2022 Aug 11.

  PMID: 35971433 BACKGROUND

• Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Introduction to a "manual of the sanities." In Character strengths and virtues (pp. 18-104). American Psychological Association; Oxford University Press. https://books.scholarsportal.info/uri/ebooks/ebooks0/oxford/2009-11-30/3/0195167015

  BACKGROUND

• Ritterband, L. M., Cox, D. J., Gordon, T. L., Borowitz, S. M., Kovatchev, B. P., Walker, L. S., & Sutphen, J. L. (2006). Examining the Added Value of Audio, Graphics, and Interactivity in an Internet Intervention for Pediatric Encopresis. Children's Health Care, 35(1), 47-59. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15326888chc3501_5

  BACKGROUND

• Shoshani A, Shwartz L. From Character Strengths to Children's Well-Being: Development and Validation of the Character Strengths Inventory for Elementary School Children. Front Psychol. 2018 Nov 2;9:2123. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02123. eCollection 2018.

  PMID: 30450070 BACKGROUND

• Waters, L. (2015a). The relationship between strength-based parenting with children's stress levels and strength-based coping approaches. Psychology, 06(06), 689-699. https://doi.org/10/gdj4w6

  BACKGROUND

• Waters, L. (2015b). Strength-based parenting and life satisfaction in teenagers. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 2(11), 158-173. https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.211.1651

  BACKGROUND

• Waters, L. (2020). Using positive psychology interventions to strengthen family happiness: A family systems approach. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 0(0), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2020.1789704

  BACKGROUND

• Waters, L., Loton, D., & Jach, H. K. (2018). Does Strength-Based Parenting Predict Academic Achievement? The Mediating Effects of Perseverance and Engagement. Journal of Happiness Studies. https://doi.org/10/gfscg8

  BACKGROUND

• Waters, L., & Sun, J. (2016). Can a brief strength-based parenting intervention boost self-efficacy and positive emotions in parents? International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology, 1(1), 41-56. https://doi.org/10/gfschb

  BACKGROUND

Study Officials

• Margaret Lumley, PhD, CPsych

  University of Guelph

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Model Details: The current study is a two-wave randomized controlled trial that employs a 2 (group - between participants) by 2 (time - within participants) mixed measures design to assess a brief online strength-based parenting program.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 6, 2022
• First Posted: September 10, 2022
• Study Start: October 1, 2022
• Primary Completion: June 28, 2024
• Study Completion: June 28, 2024
• Last Updated: September 26, 2025

Record last verified: 2024-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CA (1)