Parenting Intervention for Child Behavior Improvement

This trial aims to determine if a special parenting program, the Parenting Intervention, can help Black and Latinx children enhance their social and emotional skills and adopt healthier lifestyles. One group of parents will participate in a detailed program that includes lessons on ethnic-racial socialization and healthy habits. The other group will receive basic information about healthy eating. Suitable candidates for this trial are children aged 3-6 who are Black or Latinx and have a parent or caregiver willing to join the program and who lives with them most of the time. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to important research that could benefit the community.

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

Research shows that parenting programs are generally safe and easy for families to use. Studies have found that these programs can help families by reducing parental stress and improving children's behavior. Strong evidence supports the benefits of these programs for both the physical and mental health of children. Related studies have reported no serious side effects. These findings suggest that parenting programs are a safe choice for families seeking to improve their children's behavior and overall family well-being.¹²³⁴⁵

Researchers are excited about this parenting intervention because it offers a holistic approach to improving child behavior that goes beyond typical behavior management strategies. Unlike standard treatments, which might focus solely on the child or use medication, this intervention empowers parents by equipping them with a range of techniques to address behavioral issues. By involving parents directly, the intervention aims to create a supportive and consistent environment at home, potentially leading to more sustainable and meaningful improvements in child behavior.

Research shows that parenting programs can greatly improve children's behavior and development. Studies have found that these programs enhance children's thinking, language, movement, and social skills. One review found that starting these programs early in a child's life is particularly effective at reducing behavior problems. Another study showed that the positive effects on children's behavior can last a long time. In this trial, participants in the intervention arm will engage in a multicomponent parenting program. This evidence suggests that such a targeted parenting program could effectively support the social and emotional growth of Black and Latinx children and promote healthier lifestyle choices.²⁶⁷⁸⁹