Clinical trial NCT06874998: Effects of "Parenting in Sweden" on Trust in Social Services
Official title: Effects of "Parenting in Sweden" on Trust in Social Services - a Randomized Controlled Trial
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Phase: NA
Conditions: Parent-Child Relations
Immigrant
Keywords: Parental support programs
Parenting
Immigrant parents
Trust in social services
Cultural adaptation
Lead sponsor: Karolinska Institutet
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: Stockholm City Council
name: Children's right in society
First posted: 2025-03-13
Enrollment: 200
Sex: ALL
Standard ages: CHILD
ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: Parenting in Sweden (Pis) will be evaluated in a prospective, multicenter, RCT in a ratio of 1:1 to be block randomized to intervention or control group. The groups will be given the same questionnaires at the start of the program, at 5 weeks and after 6 months.
Primary purpose: OTHER

Brief summary: Supporting Parents in a New Country

Adjusting to parenthood in a new country presents significant challenges. Many immigrant parents face language barriers, financial difficulties, and cultural differences that can complicate their ability to support their children's adaptation to Swedish society. These challenges can contribute to increased stress within the family and, in some cases, elevate the risk of child maltreatment-particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas. However, research suggests that strong social support and positive parenting strategies can mitigate these risks.

Sweden, known for its high levels of trust in authorities, has implemented various initiatives to assist families, especially those new to the country. One such initiative is Parenting in Sweden (PiS), a structured program designed to help foreign-born parents navigate Swedish society, understand their rights, and support their children's development. Delivered in five sessions, the program covers key topics such as the Swedish school system, healthcare services, parental rights, and challenges related to raising teenagers.

This study aims to assess whether participation in PiS increase parents' trust in social services. Additionally, it explores whether the program encourages parents to enroll their children in extracurricular activities, which are known to support child development. Another important aspect under investigation is whether the program can help reduce the risk of parents resorting to harsh disciplinary practices.

To evaluate these outcomes, the study follows a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design. Immigrant parents of children aged 0-17 are invited to participate, with half assigned to complete the full five-session program and the other half (control group) placed on a waiting list, receiving a group meeting to discuss films related to moving to Sweden. All participants will complete surveys assessing their trust in social services, their children's participation in extracurricular activities, and their parenting practices. These surveys will be administered before and after the program, as well as six months later, to track any changes over time.

The primary objective is to determine whether participation in PiS leads to increased trust in social services. Additional expected benefits (exploratory analysis) include promoting positive parenting behaviors, such as seeking help when needed and actively engaging children in structured activities outside of school.

By examining the effectiveness of parental support programs facilitating integration, this study aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of how structured interventions can help families navigate life in Sweden. If the program proves successful in fostering trust and encouraging positive parenting, it may have long-term benefits for both parents and children, ultimately supporting their well-being and integration into Swedish society.


Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* All parents invited to participate in PiS can take part in the study.
* Eligibility extends to parents born outside of Sweden who have children aged 0 to 17 years.
* There are no restrictions regarding the length of time since their migration to Sweden; i.e., participants may have lived in Sweden for decades prior to joining. - - Literacy is not a requirement for participation.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Individuals who are unable, physically or not willing, to sign a consent form will not be eligible to participate in the study.

Primary outcomes:
measure: What are the effects of PiS on the level of trust in social services among parents born outside of Sweden?
timeFrame: From enrollment to 6 months after.
Secondary outcomes:
measure: How valid and reliable is an adapted government trust scale for measuring trust in social services?
timeFrame: From enrollment to 6 months after.
measure: Does participating in PiS increase enrollment of children in organized after-school activities
timeFrame: The question is asked in the baseline survey at enrollment and asked again at the 6-month follow-up.
measure: Does participating in PiS decrease risk factors of child maltreatment?
timeFrame: From enrollment to 6 months after.
Other outcomes:
measure: What are the mechanisms behind the effectiveness of the program?
timeFrame: From enrollment to 6 months after.
Locations:
city: Stockholm
country: Sweden
facility: Stockholm - distibuted
Study officials:
References: