Identifying Parents in Child Welfare Services Who Need Mental Health Support: Depression and Anxiety Symptoms

NCT06572865 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: Parent symptoms CWS
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 155
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 6

Brief Summary

The main aim of this study is to examine the occurrence of mental health symptoms among parents referred to the Swedish child welfare services for child maltreatment and other family related risks. Additionally, to examine any variables associated with parents' levels of depression and anxiety. Parents will respond to questionnaires administered by social workers. The level of depression and anxiety will be descriptively and statistically compared to clinical and normative samples. Additionally, statistical analyses will examine variables associated with parents' mental health symptoms.

Conditions

Mental Illness; Depression; Anxiety

Keywords

Mental Illness; Depression; Anxiety; Parenting

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• The Patient Health Questionnaire

  The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) will be used to assess depressive symptoms, including suicidal ideation, over the last two weeks (9 questions). Items are scored 0-3, resulting in a total score of 0-27. Higher scores indicate more symptoms of depression.

  At inclusion, each participant will be assessed one time only.

• The GAD-7

  The 7-item GAD-7 will measure symptoms of anxiety. Items are scored 0-3, resulting in a total score of 0-21. Higher scores indicate more symptoms of anxiety.

  At inclusion, each participant will be assessed one time only.

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Parents' background

  At inclusion, each participant will be assessed one time only.

• Parents' contact with mental health services

  At inclusion, each participant will be assessed one time only.

• Characteristics of the contact with child welfare services

  At inclusion, each participant will be assessed one time only.

Study Arms (1)

Parents reported to the child welfare services

Adults who are into contact with the Swedish CWS due to a child welfare report. The adults have a parental role in relation to a child 0-17 years old (referred to as 'parents').

Other: Screening for depression and anxiety

Interventions

Screening for depression and anxiety OTHER

Parents respond to questionnaires assessing depression and anxiety.

Parents reported to the child welfare services

Eligibility Criteria

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

Study Population

Parents reported to the social services due to concerns of the child\'s well-being.

You may qualify if:

• A parental role in relation to a child 0-17 years old (the participant does not be a guardian or biological parent, can also be, for example, a partner to a parent).
• A child welfare report has been filed for the child or the parent has reached out to the CWS themselves.

You may not qualify if:

• Not able to read questionnaire in any available language and interpreter not available at the social services.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Karolinska Institutet: lead

Study Sites (6)

Fagersta kommun

Fagersta, Sweden

Location

Gislaveds kommun

Gislaved, Sweden

Location

Söderhamns kommun

Söderhamn, Sweden

Location

Täby kommun

Täby, Sweden

Location

Tidaholms kommun

Tidaholm, Sweden

Location

Uppsala kommun

Uppsala, Sweden

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Mental Disorders; Depression; Anxiety Disorders

Interventions

Mass Screening

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; Diagnosis; Health Surveys; Surveys and Questionnaires; Data Collection; Epidemiologic Methods; Investigative Techniques; Diagnostic Services; Preventive Health Services; Health Services; Health Care Facilities Workforce and Services; Health Care Evaluation Mechanisms; Quality of Health Care; Health Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation; Public Health; Environment and Public Health; Public Health Practice

Study Officials

• Martin Forster

  Karolinska Institutet

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE ONLY
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 23, 2024
• First Posted: August 27, 2024
• Study Start: November 29, 2024
• Primary Completion: May 5, 2026
• Study Completion: May 5, 2026
• Last Updated: August 25, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

SE (6)