Fostering Activation Among Latino Parents of Children With Mental Health Needs: An RCT

Abstract

Activation among Latino parents was improved with MePrEPA, which can be readily incorporated in current practices by mental health clinics. Future work should replicate findings in a large number of sites, adding behavioral measures and distal impacts while examining MePrEPA's effects across settings and populations.

Review of parental activation interventions for parents of children with special health care needs

“…Of the 18 studies that reported sample demographics, 10 had a sample that was predominantly (≥74%) White or of European origin. Four studies (Chernoff et al, ; Ireys et al, ; Kutash et al, ; Silver et al, ) included a racially and ethnically diverse sample and four (Farber & Maharaj, ; Magaña et al, ; Pilon & Smith, ; Thomas et al, ) specifically targeted racial/ethnic minorities. In most studies, the intervention was administered in English ( n = 17) or in another language dominant in the study region (Dellve et al, ; Picard et al, ).…”

“…Five studies evaluated psychoeducational group‐based interventions. Four were based on theories of family stress and coping (Farber & Maharaj, ; Jerram et al, ; Picard et al, ; Schultz et al, ); one was based on patient activation literature (Thomas et al, ). Interventions sought to improve parental management by addressing family relationships (Jerram et al, ; Picard et al, ), coping (Jerram et al, ; Schultz et al, ), problem‐solving (Farber & Maharaj, ; Schultz et al, ), advocacy, and ability to access services (Farber & Maharaj, ; Jerram et al, ; Picard et al, ; Schultz et al, ; Thomas et al, ).…”

“…Eleven studies examined outcomes relevant to parental activation. Thomas et al () found significant improvement in parental activation for intervention parents, with a greater impact for parents with low baseline activation and whose children were novice users of mental health services. Kieckhefer et al () found that intervention participants had higher post‐intervention scores on parental self‐efficacy.…”

“…Evidence for other psychosocial outcomes was mixed. Of the seven studies that reported on depression‐related outcomes, five (Chernoff et al, ; Ireys et al, ; Magaña et al, ; Picard et al, ; Thomas et al, ) found no significant improvements. Kieckhefer et al () found significantly lower post‐trial depression scores among intervention parents.…”

“…Eight studies examined stress, worry, or anxiety. Four studies (Ireys et al, ; Picard et al, ; Sullivan‐Bolyai et al, ; Thomas et al, ) found no observable differences between groups, whereas a fifth study (Sullivan‐Bolyai et al, ) found that intervention fathers had higher post‐trial worry scores. Two studies (Ireys et al, ; Jerram et al, ) found significant positive effects on parental anxiety in favour of the intervention group.…”