ACT Together: Implementing a Web-Based Program With Brief Coaching for Parents of Children With Disabilities in Pediatric Outpatient Clinics

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the feasibility, usability, and preliminary benefits of implementing ACT Together for parents of children with disabilities in pediatric outpatient clinics. ACT Together includes six self-paced, web-based modules and brief weekly one-on-one coaching sessions led by a trained occupational therapist. The program is based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), which teaches practical skills to help people handle stress and difficult thoughts or feelings while taking steps toward what matters to them. The main questions this study aims to answer are: * Can parents and occupational therapists complete the study activities as planned (e.g., module completion, coaching sessions, and surveys)? * Is the program usable and acceptable/appropriate/feasible to implement in this setting? * Do parents show improvements in mental health and coping-related outcomes after participating in the program? * What are the experiences and perspectives of parents and therapists regarding the program? Parents as participants will: * Complete six self-paced web-based modules and brief weekly individual phone coaching sessions with a trained occupational therapist working in pediatric outpatient clinics. * Complete online questionnaires before starting and after completing the program. * Take part in one online interview about their experiences and perspectives on the program. Occupational therapists as participants will: * Complete therapist training materials and deliver brief individual phone coaching sessions to parent participants, including completing a post-session checklist. * Complete brief online questionnaires before starting and after delivering the program. * Take part in one online interview about their experiences and perspectives on the program.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria (Parents of children with disabilities):

1. Community-dwelling adults (aged ≥18 years) with primary caregiving responsibility for a child with disabilities (aged \<18 years) who is enrolled in a participating clinic;
2. Expected to use services at the participating clinic at least once per week over the next three months;
3. Willing to learn strategies to cope with emotions and thoughts; and
4. Have access to a web-enabled device (e.g., smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop) with reliable internet access at home or in a public space (e.g., library).

Exclusion Criteria (Parents of children with disabilities):

1. Cognitive, physical, sensory impairments, or language barriers (non-English speaking) that would impede participation;
2. Suicidal intent or suicide attempt(s) within the past six months;
3. Participation in another parent support research study at the time of recruitment; or
4. More than three hospitalizations of either the parent or child within the past year, or other serious health concerns that would interfere with program engagement.

Inclusion Criteria (Occupational therapists):

1. Have three or more years of clinical experience in a pediatric setting and be willing to participate in training, program implementation, and study evaluations; and
2. Currently work in a clinic that serves at least 15 children who attend the clinic at least once per week.

Exclusion Criteria (Occupational therapists): N/A

Conditions4

Locations1 site

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