Anxiety, Depression
Conditions
Brief summary
The Self-Compassion for Children and Caregivers Study aims to understand if an online course designed to help kids and their caregivers learn self-compassion is feasible, enjoyable, and helpful for well-being and relationships in families from diverse backgrounds. Children ages 8-11 who have a caregiver willing to participate with them will: * Attend 2 in-person study visits (about 1-1.5 hour each) that includes * A survey for caregiver and child * A brief computer puzzle challengetask while heart rate and sweat is recorded (child) * A brief discussion about how the challenge went * Participate in a 6-session, online self-compassion course with other families (see back) * Provide feedback about how the course went
Detailed description
This pilot study examines the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of the Self-Compassion for Children and Caregivers (SCCC) program. Twenty-four children ages 8-11 and a primary caregiver will be recruited from a racially diverse school community to participate in 6 1-hour group intervention sessions over 6 weeks. Feasibility and acceptability data will guide program refinements; pre and post assessments will explore dimensional changes in anxiety/depression symptoms as well as potential physiological, relational/behavioral changes associated with SCCC participation.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALSelf-Compassion for Children and Caregivers (SCCC)
A standardized, manualized adaptation of the mindful self-compassion curriculum for adults, designed for online delivery. Dyads join a group video conference call along with other caregiver-child dyads and and up to two experienced SCCC facilitators. Sessions occur 1-hour per week for 6 weeks at a time convenient for the group.
Sponsors
Mind & Life Institute
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Study design
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
8 Years to 11 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
- English speaking: * Youth between the ages of 8 and 11 years old * Youth are currently attending an elementary school in the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD). * Accompanied by a willing and able caregiver (e.g., parent, grandparent, legal guardian) * Access to an internet-enabled device * Both parent and youth participants must be able to read/write in English * Meet threshold (T greater than 59) for clinically significant anxiety and/or depression from either parent- or youth-report of symptoms Inclusion Criteria - Spanish speaking: * Youth between the ages of 8 and 11 years old * Accompanied by an eligible caregiver participant * Safe access to a computer or mobile device that can connect to the internet * Visual acuity adequate to read text on a computer or mobile device * Able to provide assent and complete surveys in Spanish
Exclusion criteria
- English speaking: * Are unable to provide adequate informed consent and/or assent * Parent or youth that is currently impaired by any medical condition that would prevent study participation * Active self-reported psychotic disorder * Current use of psychotropic medication is not exclusionary. However, certain medications that may impact physiology recordings may be excluded (e.g. those with direct impacts on the sympathetic nervous system). Exclusionary medications will be decided on a case-by-case basis, per discretion of the PI, a pediatric psychiatrist
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in number of dyads in attendance each week | Week 1 to week 6 | Feasibility and acceptability will be measured using attendance records each week of the program |
| Reasons for study attrition | Up to week 6 | Feasibility and acceptability will be assessed through reasons provided by dyads for leaving the program |
| Fidelity to SCCC Curriculum | Through study completion, up to 2 years | The SCCC Fidelity Checklist is a subjective checklist for evidence shown for an array of items covered during each session. No evidence, some evidence, and definite evidence are selected, with higher counts of definite evidence reflecting greater fidelity to the curriculum. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed