ORCHIDS: an Observational Randomized Controlled Trial on Childhood Differential Susceptibility

Abstract

BackgroundA central tenet in developmental psychopathology is that childhood rearing experiences have a major impact on children’s development. Recently, candidate genes have been identified that may cause children to be differentially susceptible to these experiences (i.e., susceptibility genes). However, our understanding of the differential impact of parenting is limited at best. Specifically, more experimental research is needed. The ORCHIDS study will investigate gene-(gene-)environment interactions to obtain more insight into a) moderating effects of polymorphisms on the link between parenting and child behavior, and b) behavioral mechanisms that underlie these gene-(gene-)environment interactions in an experimental design.Methods/DesignThe ORCHIDS study is a randomized controlled trial, in which the environment will be manipulated with an intervention (i.e., Incredible Years parent training). In a screening, families with children aged 4–8 who show mild to (sub)clinical behavior problems will be targeted through community records via two Dutch regional healthcare organizations. Assessments in both the intervention and control condition will be conducted at baseline (i.e., pretest), after 6 months (i.e., posttest), and after 10 months (i.e., follow-up).DiscussionThis study protocol describes the design of a randomized controlled trial that investigates gene-(gene-)environment interactions in the development of child behavior. Two hypotheses will be tested. First, we expect that children in the intervention condition who carry one or more susceptibility genes will show significantly lower levels of problem behavior and higher levels of prosocial behavior after their parent(s) received the Incredible Years training, compared to children without these genes, or children in the control group. Second, we expect that children carrying one or more susceptibility genes will show a heightened sensitivity to changes in parenting behaviors, and will manifest higher emotional synchronization in dyadic interchanges with their parents. This may lead to either more prosocial behavior or antisocial behavior depending on their parents’ behavior.Trial registrationDutch Trial Register (NTR3594)

Genetic Moderation of Intervention Efficacy: Dopaminergic Genes, The Incredible Years, and Externalizing Behavior in Children

“…Data were collected in two cohorts from November 2012–2013 through November 2013–2014. Detailed information about the sample and sampling appears elsewhere (Chhangur, Weeland, Overbeek, Matthys, & Orobio de Castro, ; Weeland, Chhangur et al., in press). Using a randomized control design, the ORCHIDS study addresses the differential effectiveness—across children with varying temperamental and genetic characteristics—of the IY program in reducing externalizing behavior in 4‐ to 8‐year‐old children showing moderate to high levels of such problems by enhancing a warm parent–child relationship through child‐directed play; coaching of social, emotional, and academic skills; praise and rewards; effective limit setting; and handling (e.g., ignore and time‐out techniques).…”

Families Who Benefit and Families Who Do Not: Integrating Person- and Variable-Centered Analyses of Parenting Intervention Responses

“…We used data from the Observational Randomized Trial on Childhood Differential Susceptibility (ie, The ORCHIDS study). 20 This is a preregistered randomized controlled trial of the Incredible Years Parenting Program in an indicated prevention setting (ie, children were screened for disruptive behavior; Trial 3594, ORCHIDS, https://www.trialregister. nl).…”

“…The protocol and full study details are reported elsewhere. 20,21 Participants For this study, families with children aged 4 to 8 years were recruited through community records and screened on elevated levels of disruptive child behavior (ie, >75 th percentile on the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory 21 ). In total, 387 parentÀchild dyads participated (197 intervention and 190 control).…”

Effectonderzoek naar de ouderinterventie Pittige Jaren

“…In de tweede fase werden alle gezinnen die in aanmerking kwamen voor het onderzoek uitgenodigd voor deelname aan de RCT: Observational Randomized Trial on Childhood Differential Susceptibility (ORCHIDS-studie) (Chhangur et al 2012). Van de gezinnen die in aanmerking kwamen, werd ongeveer 60 % telefonisch bereikt (n = 850), en 46 % van de bereikte gezinnen deed uiteindelijk mee met het onderzoek (zie fig.…”