Breaking Silence Through Story: A Narrative Medicine Intervention for Parents of Children With Urogenital Conditions

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether a journaling intervention can reduce stress and anxiety in parents of children with urogenital conditions (such as differences of sex development and hypospadias). The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does guided journaling help to reduce anxiety levels in parents of children with urogenital conditions? * What are parents' perspectives on group-based writing interventions for future support programs? Participants will: * Complete a short anxiety questionnaire (the General Anxiety Disorder-7 scale) at the beginning of the study * Receive a physical journal with 5 writing prompts designed to help process emotions related to their child's condition * Complete 5 journal entries over several weeks, writing about their experiences and feelings * Complete the same anxiety questionnaire again after finishing the journal entries * Participate in a 45-minute interview to discuss how the journaling affected their stress levels and gather feedback on potential group-based writing programs

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

* Parent or legal guardian of a child (age 0-17 years) diagnosed with a urogenital condition (differences of sex development and/or hypospadias)
* Able to read and understand English
* Child receives care at Boston Children's Hospital
* Willing to complete a guided journaling intervention (through writing or dictation) over a period of approximately 5 weeks
* Willing to participate in a 45 minute follow-up interview
* Able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Parent/guardian with severe psychiatric disorder that would interfere with participation as determined by referring physician
* Parent/guardian unable to complete either written journaling activities or dictation
* Inability to provide informed consent

Conditions3

Locations1 site

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