Overview
The goal of this clinical trial is to test an app-based just-in-time-adaptive intervention (JITAI). The intervention aims to improve child and family mental health. A JITAI provides in-the-moment feedback to coach families. The questions it tests are if the app will improve mental health and family functioning. Participants will download an app on their phone and complete JITAI sessions. Researchers will compare intervention and control groups to see if the app improves mental health.
Description
The following study tests the efficacy of an app-based program designed to improve child and family mental health and well-being. The intervention will include family-based activities for improving child and family mental health and functioning delivered as psychoeducation and activities through the smartphone app, as well as a just-in-time adaptive intervention (JITAI) component where AI analysis for family interactions will be used to provide real-time, dynamic feedback to families. Participants will be informed during consent that they will have a 50-50 chance of receiving the intervention. The study will assess caregiver and child functioning in a variety of domains, such as mental health symptoms, attachment style, and family conflict through a series of baseline and follow-up questionnaires. Caregivers may use their own smartphones, or they will be lent smartphones for the study. Caregivers and children will also be lent Fitbits/Apple Watches. The intervention will last 8 weeks. Data will include daily surveys, daily audio recordings, 15-minute surveys every 2 weeks about their experiences using the app, bi-weekly check-ins, psychoeducational modules, homework activities, JITAI sessions, and passively sensed data. The intervention will be administered through the smartphone app and will include daily 5-15-minute psychoeducation modules and practice sessions and daily JITAI sessions.
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria:
- A family income less than or equal to the 33rd percentile for their county of residence OR
- At least one participating family member identifies as belonging to an ethnic/racial minoritized group AND
- Child mental health symptoms at or above the 70th percentile based on any subscale of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire AND
- Participants speak English and/or Spanish AND
- Have a child 6-9 years old at the time of enrollment AND
- Families must be located in Texas or Florida
Exclusion Criteria:
- Active suicidal ideation OR
- Active homicidal ideation OR
- Current child abuse OR
- Current violence in the home
Families meeting these exclusion criteria will undergo a clinical risk assessment and be
referred for alternative treatment services.