Psychoeducational Simulation Game for Adults in Stepfamilies

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Recent evidence has shown that intervention programs for remarried people are scarce. Furthermore, from what is known, no specific intervention models (traditional or web-based) has yet been developed for remarried Portuguese population. This study evaluates the efficacy of a web-based Psychoeducational Simulation Game on marital adjustment on marital social skills, on remarriage beliefs, on parenting attitudes, and on the stepfamily functioning.

Detailed Description
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This study will compare the efficacy of a Simulation Game Intervention versus control (no game) in remarried people that have (step)children. The participants will be randomized to the two groups. The Simulation Game contains three different modules to play: Module 1 - Conjugality (emotional divorce, financial issues, positive communication skills, conflict and stress management strategies, social support); Module 2 - Step-parenting (positive stepparent-stepchild relationships, development of relationships within stepfamily, step-parenting roles negotiation, stepfamily' unrealistic beliefs and develop share meaning); Module 3 - Co-parenting (positive co-parenting strategies and loyalty binds).

Official Title
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A Web-based Psychoeducational Simulation Game for Remarried Adults - Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Conditions
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Internet-Based Intervention, Remarriage

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Psychoeducational Game


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Live in a Stepfamily Relationship length minimum of six months Exclusion Criteria: Not having (step)children Not cohabiting with the spouse

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Quadruple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Intervention Group<br>A web-based Simulation Game concerning marital positive skills in remarriage, positive co-parenting strategies and positive stepparent-stepchild relationship skills. | Other: Psychoeducational Game<br>* Psychoeducational Game<br>|
| No Intervention: Control<br>No intervention | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in marital adjustment | This measure is a self-rating questionnaire to assesses the quality of the dyadic relationship with three subscales: Consensus, Satisfaction and Cohesion. | T0 - before the intervention; T1 - immediately after intervention; T2 - one month later | 
| Change in marital social skills | This measure is a 32-item self-report measure that evaluates the frequency with which people present certain social skills in the context of their marital relationship. | T0 - before the intervention; T1 - immediately after intervention; T2 - one month later | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Step-parenting Attitudes and Beliefs | Seventeen items were used to rate the participants' step-parenting attitudes and beliefs addressed in the program content. | T0 - before the intervention; T1 - immediately after intervention; T2 - one month later | 
| Change in Co-parenting Attitudes and Beliefs | Nine items were used to rate the participants' co-parenting attitudes and beliefs addressed in the program content. | T0 - before the intervention; T1 - immediately after intervention; T2 - one month later | 
| Change in remarriage Beliefs | This measure is a self-rating questionnaire to assesses participants' unrealistic beliefs regarding remarriage and stepfamilies in general. | T0 - before the intervention; T1 - immediately after intervention; T2 - one month later | 
| Change in stepfamily functioning | This measure is a self-report questionnaire to provide an evaluation of family functioning with 5 items and three dimensions: Family strengths, Family communication and Family difficulties. | T0 - before the intervention; T1 - immediately after intervention; T2 - one month later | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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remarriage, stepfamily, step-parenting, psychoeducation, web-based interventions, clinic interventions