Clinical trial NCT03157895: A Trial of Connecting to Promote Foster Teen Well-Being
Official title: A Trial of Connecting to Prevent Drug Abuse and Risky Behavior in Foster Teens
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: UNKNOWN
Phase: NA
Conditions: Relationship, Family (Foster)
Substance Use Prevention
Keywords: Foster Families
Lead sponsor: University of Washington
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
name: Alliance for Child Welfare Excellence
name: Washington State Department of Social and Health Services
First posted: 2017-05-17
Enrollment: 220
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 11
Maximum age (years): 15
Standard ages: CHILD
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: PREVENTION

Brief summary: This study evaluates the efficacy of a self-directed parenting program called Connecting in reducing risk of substance use and other risky behaviors in young foster teens (ages 11-15). Half of the participants will receive services as usual from the foster system, while half will participate in the Connecting program. Connecting is a 10-week, self-directed parenting workbook with two digital video discs (DVDs). Families receive weekly telephone support as they complete the program.


Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Foster youth ages 11-15 years
* In current placement 60+ days
* In relative/suitable adult care, in licensed relative/suitable adult care, in licensed foster care, in dependency guardianship
* Caregiver and teen speak English well enough to use the program manual and respond to survey questions

Exclusion Criteria:

* The teen has regularly used drugs or alcohol in the last 30 days
* The teen has been involved in the criminal justice system
* The placement is not viewed as stable
* The caregiver is not committed to a long-term placement
* The teen will not likely be in the placement for at least 6 months
* Group home placements and behavioral rehabilitative services placements

Primary outcomes:
measure: Delay in drug use initiation
timeFrame: 2 year follow up
measure: Substance use frequency
timeFrame: 2 year follow up
measure: Non-violent delinquent behavior frequency
timeFrame: 2 year follow up
measure: Violent delinquent behavior frequency
timeFrame: 2 year follow up
measure: Delay in initiation of sexual activity
timeFrame: 2 year follow up
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Residential placement stability
timeFrame: 2 year follow up
measure: Growth in caregiver/youth bonding
timeFrame: 1 and 2 year follow up
measure: Youth attitudes about HIV related risks
timeFrame: 1 and 2 year follow up
measure: Youth attitudes favorable toward substance use
timeFrame: 1 and 2 year follow up
Other outcomes:
measure: Opportunities for prosocial involvement in the family
timeFrame: 1 and 2 year follow up
measure: Problem solving skills (youth)
timeFrame: 1 and 2 year follow up
measure: Refusal skills (youth)
timeFrame: 1 and 2 year follow up
measure: Children's coping
timeFrame: 1 and 2 year follow up
measure: Rewards and recognition in the family scale
timeFrame: 1 and 2 year follow up
measure: Change in family guidelines
timeFrame: 1 and 2 year follow up
measure: Change in caregiver monitoring
timeFrame: 1 and 2 year follow up
measure: Change in inconsistent discipline and consequences
timeFrame: 1 and 2 year follow up
Locations:
city: Seattle
country: United States
facility: The Social Development Research Group, University of Washington
state: Washington
Study officials:
References:
citation: Haggerty KP, Barkan SE, Skinner M, Ben Packard W, Cole JJ. Feasibility of Connecting, a Substance-Abuse Prevention Program for Foster Teens and their Caregivers. J Soc Social Work Res. 2016 Winter;7(4):639-659. doi: 10.1086/686986. Epub 2016 Oct 18.
citation: Barkan SE, Salazar AM, Estep K, Mattos LM, Eichenlaub C, Haggerty KP. Adapting an evidence based parenting program for child welfare involved teens and their caregivers. Child Youth Serv Rev. 2014 Jun;41:53-61. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2014.03.006.
citation: Storer HL, Barkan SE, Stenhouse LL, Eichenlaub C, Mallillin A, Haggerty KP. In search of connection: The foster youth and caregiver relationship. Child Youth Serv Rev. 2014 Jul;42:110-117. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2014.04.008.
citation: Storer HL, Barkan SE, Sherman EL, Haggerty KP, Mattos LM. Promoting Relationship Building and Connection: Adapting an Evidence-Based Parenting Program for Families Involved in the Child Welfare System. Child Youth Serv Rev. 2012 Sep 1;34(9):10.1016/j.childyouth.2012.05.017. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2012.05.017.
citation: Salazar AM, McCowan KJ, Cole JJ, Skinner ML, Noell BR, Colito JM, Haggerty KP, Barkan SE. Developing Relationship-Building Tools for Foster Families Caring for Teens who are LGBTQ2S. Child Welfare. 2018;96(2):75-97.
citation: Haggerty KP, Barkan SE, Caouette JD, Skinner ML, Hanson KG. Two-Year Risk Behavior Outcomes from Connecting, a Prevention Program for Caregivers and Youth in Foster Care. Prev Sci. 2023 Jan;24(1):15-26. doi: 10.1007/s11121-022-01390-4. Epub 2022 Jul 4.