Behavioral HealthNCT05229146
Improving Future Thinking Among Mothers to Reduce Harsh Parenting and Improve Child Outcomes
A study testing Episodic Future Thinking in people with Behavioral Health, run by Henry Ford Health System at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
Parents of children from impoverished communities are disproportionately more likely to engage in harsh physical discipline, which can lead to serious clinical outcomes, including suicidal ideation and attempts. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Any age, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Behavioral Health
- What is being tested?
- Episodic Future Thinking
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 48 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 2 Jun 2022to 21 Nov 2023
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages Any age
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Be the mother from the Flint area of a child between the ages of 5-10 who can provide legal consent for that child to participate in this study
- Self-report that the child lives with them for at least 50% of the time
- Willing to participate in the study
- Able to participate in written assessments and an intervention conducted in English
- Have a working cell phone that can receive and send text messages and be willing to receive/send text messages as part of the study
- Have a phone or device that's able to use video conferencing software
Who cannot join
- Self-disclosed active suicidality/homicidality
- Self-disclosed current bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or psychosis
- Current and ongoing involvement with child protective services
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
RL Jones Community Outreach Center
Flint, Michigan, 48505
About this study
Official title: Reducing Maternal Delay Discounting as a Target Mechanism to Decrease Harsh Parenting and Improve Child Mental Health Outcomes in a Traditionally Underserved Community
Parents of children from impoverished communities are disproportionately more likely to engage in harsh physical discipline, which can lead to serious clinical outcomes, including suicidal ideation and attempts. One mechanism linking low resource environments and maladaptive parenting strategies is maternal delay discounting, or the tendency to value smaller, immediate rewards (such as stopping children's misbehavior via physical means) relative to larger, but delayed rewards (like improving the parent-child relationship). This study will examine the efficacy of implementing a low-cost, brief intervention targeting the reduction of maternal delay discounting to inform broader public health efforts aimed at improving adolescent mental health outcomes in traditionally underserved communities.
Read the detailed description
Harsh parenting is associated with serious and costly mental health problems among youth, including substance use, mood disorders, and suicidal ideation and behaviors. Of concern, these parenting practices are most common among families from impoverished communities; however, many behaviorally-based parenting interventions do not take into account the unique mechanisms linking environmental disadvantage to parenting approaches. While the causes of harsh parenting are complex and varied, one such mechanism may be parents' tendencies to prioritize immediate rewards (such as stopping a child's misbehavior via physical punishment like spanking and hitting) relative to larger, but delayed rewards (including improved parent-child relationship quality), known as delay discounting. This case series will examine the efficacy of episodic future thinking (EFT) to target reduction of parenting-related delay discounting. Outcomes will evaluate the effect of EFT on reducing maternal delay discounting and harsh parenting, and improving child clinical outcomes.
- Conditions
- Behavioral Health
- Being tested
- Episodic Future Thinking
- Keywords
- episodic future thinking, delay discounting, parent-child relations, low income, substance use treatment, peer recovery coach
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Episodic Future ThinkingBehavioural
Episodic future thinking (EFT) includes a focus on generating detailed and vivid descriptions of future events. For the current intervention, EFT will be modified to have mothers describe specific events with their children.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Episodic Future Thinking | Experimental | Mothers will receive episodic future thinking (EFT). Mothers will meet with a "peer mother" who will administer the EFT intervention, including generation of several specific future events reflecting positive interactions with their child. We will also teach each parent a behavioral parent training element called Special Play Time. Following this session, mothers will receive daily text messages over the course of two weeks including a reminder cue generated as part of the EFT and a prompt to remember these episodes in vivid detail. Receives: Behavioral: Episodic Future Thinking |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Monetary Choice Questionnaire
The brief Monetary Choice Questionnaire (MCQ) is a 21-item binary-choice task that asks participants to select between two hypothetical monetary amounts: a smaller reward available immediately (e.g. $49 today) or a larger reward available after a delay (e.g. $60 in 89 days). "Larger later" amounts are separated into small, medium and large magnitudes. For the purposes of this study, to limit participant burden, we administered only small and large magnitude subscales, resulting in a total number of 14 items. The measure is scored to derive a single "total score" discounting rate k, with larger values reflecting greater preference for smaller sooner reward. Because k distributions are typically skewed, post-hoc natural logarithmic transformations were performed, resulting in normal distributions; thus, there is no maximum and minimum value. The MCQ has been shown to have strong psychometric properties among adults and correlates with real rewards, as well as real-world risk behaviors.
Measured: Baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks
Change in Consideration of Future Consequences Scale-Parenting Score
The Consideration of Future Consequences Scale-Parenting Adapted (CFCS-14-PA) is a 14-item self-report questionnaire composed of two subscales reflecting either immediate or future orientation related to parents interactions with their children. Items range from "not at all like me" (1) to "very much like me" (5) and are summed to create future or immediate orientation subscale, each composed of 7 items with score ranges from 7-35. Lower scores on the future orientation and higher scores on the immediate orientation subscales are associated with less future orientation and predictive of less engagement in health behaviors. The measure has been used extensively among adult samples and demonstrates strong reliability and validity. Change in CFCS-14-PA score is measured by comparing scores at the post-intervention assessment (approximately 4 weeks after baseline) with baseline scores.
Measured: Baseline, 4 weeks
Secondary outcomes (4)
Change in Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System Scores
Parents and their children will complete a 20-minute interaction task, including 5 min. of free play, a 10 min. "homework" task, and a 5 min. clean up task. Wualitvey of parent-childre interactions were coded using the Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System (DPICS). The task has 7 subscales, yielding 2 composite scores: positive parenting (a sum of: unlabeled praise, labeled praise, positive touch, reflection, and behavior description) and negative parenting (a sum of: negative talk and negative touch). Each instance of a behaviors described in the subscale (e.g., a parent giving unlabeled praise) is coded as one "point" and summed into a subscale (no max or min values). Higher values indicate greater positive or negative parenting. A score is given to the dyad (not individuals scores for parent/child). Change in parenting is calculated by comparing baseline scores with scores at the post-intervention sessions (approximately 4 weeks after baseline).
Measured: Baseline, 4 weeks
Change in Alabama Parenting Questionnaire Score
The Alabama Parenting Questionnaire (APQ) is a 42-item self-report measure of parenting behaviors which yields five subscales: (1) positive involvement with children (range 10-50, higher = more involvement), (2) use of positive parenting strategies (range 6-30, higher = more positive strategies), (3) poor parental monitoring/supervision (range 10-50, higher = worse supervision), (4) inconsistent discipline (range 6-30, higher = more inconsistent discipline), and (5) use of corporal punishment (higher = more corporal punishment). Items are summed to create subscale scores. Change in each of the five APQ subscale scores will be measured by comparing post-intervention scores (approximately 4 weeks after baseline) with baseline scores.
Measured: Baseline, 4 weeks
Change in Emotion Regulation Checklist
Parents will report on children's emotion regulation using the Emotion Regulation Checklist (ERC). Items are rated from 1 to 4 and summed to create subscales. The ECR includes 24 items. 23 items are used in computing two subscales: (1) emotion regulation (range 8 to 32, higher = greater emotion regulation) and (2) lability/negativity (range 15 to 60, higher = greater lability/negativity); the 24th item does not load onto either subscale and is not used in the current analyses. The measure is widely used and validated for parent-report of older children and young adolescents.
Measured: Baseline, 4 weeks
Client Satisfaction Questionnaire
Following the completion of the intervention, mothers will complete the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ), which evaluates participant satisfaction with the intervention. Nine items are ranked from 1 to 4 and summed to create a total score (range 9-36, higher = greater satisfaction). The measure is used across a number of intervention studies and has been shown to be reliable and valid in adult samples.
Measured: 4 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted8 Feb 2022
- Study start2 Jun 2022
- Primary completion21 Nov 2023
- Study completion21 Nov 2023
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Other trials for Behavioral HealthStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Henry Ford Health SystemThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 48 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Henry Ford Health System
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- University of Maryland, College Park, University of Kansas, Michigan State University
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Julia Felton, Henry Ford Health System
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05229146
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- NHP: 15407-31
- Status last verified
- Feb 2025
- First submitted
- 18 Jan 2022
- Last updated
- 14 Mar 2025
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 14 Mar 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Reducing Maternal Delay Discounting as a Target Mechanism to Decrease Harsh Parenting and Improve Child Mental Health Outcomes in a Traditionally Underserved Community
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05229146
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- NHP: 15407-31
- Conditions
- Behavioral Health
- Keywords
- episodic future thinking, delay discounting, parent-child relations, low income, substance use treatment, peer recovery coach
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 48 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Henry Ford Health SystemUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- University of Maryland, College Park, University of Kansas, Michigan State University
- Study start
- 2 Jun 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 21 Nov 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 21 Nov 2023 (actual)
- First posted
- 8 Feb 2022 (actual)
- Results
- Posted 14 Mar 2025
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Parents of children from impoverished communities are disproportionately more likely to engage in harsh physical discipline, which can lead to serious clinical outcomes, including suicidal ideation and attempts. One mechanism linking low resource environments and maladaptive parenting strategies is maternal delay discounting, or the tendency to value smaller, immediate rewards (such as stopping children's misbehavior via physical means) relative to larger, but delayed rewards (like improving the parent-child relationship). This study will examine the efficacy of implementing a low-cost, brief intervention targeting the reduction of maternal delay discounting to inform broader public health efforts aimed at improving adolescent mental health outcomes in traditionally underserved communities.
Detailed description
Harsh parenting is associated with serious and costly mental health problems among youth, including substance use, mood disorders, and suicidal ideation and behaviors. Of concern, these parenting practices are most common among families from impoverished communities; however, many behaviorally-based parenting interventions do not take into account the unique mechanisms linking environmental disadvantage to parenting approaches. While the causes of harsh parenting are complex and varied, one such mechanism may be parents' tendencies to prioritize immediate rewards (such as stopping a child's misbehavior via physical punishment like spanking and hitting) relative to larger, but delayed rewards (including improved parent-child relationship quality), known as delay discounting. This case series will examine the efficacy of episodic future thinking (EFT) to target reduction of parenting-related delay discounting. Outcomes will evaluate the effect of EFT on reducing maternal delay discounting and harsh parenting, and improving child clinical outcomes.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Episodic Future Thinking | Experimental | Behavioral: Episodic Future ThinkingMothers will receive episodic future thinking (EFT). Mothers will meet with a "peer mother" who will administer the EFT intervention, including generation of several specific future events reflecting positive interactions with their child. We will also teach each parent a behavioral parent training element called Special Play Time. Following this session, mothers will receive daily text messages over the course of two weeks including a reminder cue generated as part of the EFT and a prompt to remember these episodes in vivid detail. |
Who may qualify
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Be the mother from the Flint area of a child between the ages of 5-10 who can provide legal consent for that child to participate in this study
- Self-report that the child lives with them for at least 50% of the time
- Willing to participate in the study
- Able to participate in written assessments and an intervention conducted in English
- Have a working cell phone that can receive and send text messages and be willing to receive/send text messages as part of the study
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Self-disclosed active suicidality/homicidality
- Self-disclosed current bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or psychosis
- Current and ongoing involvement with child protective services
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Episodic Future ThinkingEpisodic future thinking (EFT) includes a focus on generating detailed and vivid descriptions of future events. For the current intervention, EFT will be modified to have mothers describe specific events with their children. | Behavioural | Episodic Future Thinking |
Primary outcome
Change in Monetary Choice Questionnaire
Time frame: Baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks
The brief Monetary Choice Questionnaire (MCQ) is a 21-item binary-choice task that asks participants to select between two hypothetical monetary amounts: a smaller reward available immediately (e.g. $49 today) or a larger reward available after a delay (e.g. $60 in 89 days). "Larger later" amounts are separated into small, medium and large magnitudes. For the purposes of this study, to limit participant burden, we administered only small and large magnitude subscales, resulting in a total number of 14 items. The measure is scored to derive a single "total score" discounting rate k, with larger values reflecting greater preference for smaller sooner reward. Because k distributions are typically skewed, post-hoc natural logarithmic transformations were performed, resulting in normal distributions; thus, there is no maximum and minimum value. The MCQ has been shown to have strong psychometric properties among adults and correlates with real rewards, as well as real-world risk behaviors.
Change in Consideration of Future Consequences Scale-Parenting Score
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks
The Consideration of Future Consequences Scale-Parenting Adapted (CFCS-14-PA) is a 14-item self-report questionnaire composed of two subscales reflecting either immediate or future orientation related to parents interactions with their children. Items range from "not at all like me" (1) to "very much like me" (5) and are summed to create future or immediate orientation subscale, each composed of 7 items with score ranges from 7-35. Lower scores on the future orientation and higher scores on the immediate orientation subscales are associated with less future orientation and predictive of less engagement in health behaviors. The measure has been used extensively among adult samples and demonstrates strong reliability and validity. Change in CFCS-14-PA score is measured by comparing scores at the post-intervention assessment (approximately 4 weeks after baseline) with baseline scores.
4 secondary outcomes
Change in Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System Scores
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks
Change in Alabama Parenting Questionnaire Score
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks
Change in Emotion Regulation Checklist
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks
Client Satisfaction Questionnaire
Time frame: 4 weeks
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 14 Mar 2025.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Episodic Future Thinking in people with Behavioral Health, run by Henry Ford Health System at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 14 Mar 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 14 Mar 2025). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Monetary Choice Questionnaire (time frame: Baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 14 Mar 2025.