Improving Emotion Dysregulation and Interpersonal Conflict Among Families of Adolescents With ADHD
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Summary
This study consists of a randomized controlled trial assessing the acceptability, feasibility, and efficacy of the RELAX (Regulating Emotions Like An eXpert) Intervention. Following randomization, 30 families will receive the RELAX intervention and 30 families will receive psychoeducational materials as part of a control condition. Additionally, 10 families from the RELAX condition will participate in a pilot study and focus groups to give feedback on developed smartphone apps to support skill use during and following completion of RELAX.
Description
This study seeks to quantify the efficacy of the telehealth RELAX intervention (n = 30) relative to a psychoeducational waitlist control (PWL; n = 30) through a RCT. The psychoeducational component will consist of infographics for parents and adolescents regarding ER strategies, parent emotion socialization, and managing interpersonal conflict. Participants will be 60 adolescents with ADHD in middle or high school (ages 11-16) who display moderate to severe emotion dysregulation as measured by the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, and a primary caregiver. Adolescents will have an estim…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 11–16 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * child with ADHD in middle or high school at time of study entry * child has an estimated verbal IQ \>=80 based on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition Verbal Comprehension Index * child has no evidence of severe developmental delay either from genetic origins (e.g., Down Syndrome) or complications during pregnancy/birth (e.g., infection, micropremature) * participating parent/legal guardian has custody/medical decision making of the child * family uses English as one of their primary languages (i.e., able to participate in study visits and interven…
Interventions
- BehavioralRELAX
The RELAX intervention is a social-emotional intervention consisting of 8 weekly, 1.5 hr sessions and a booster session 1 month and 6 months after the completion of RELAX. During the first 60 minutes of RELAX sessions, parents and adolescents meet separately; during the last 30 minutes combined parent-adolescent discussion and problem-solving activities take place. RELAX is structured such that parents learn emotion regulation/coping skills the week prior to them being taught to the adolescents. Group sessions will involve both didactics and discussion of topics including psychoeducation, basic cognitive/behavioral principles, emotional awareness, emotion regulation strategies, parent emotion socialization practices, coping skills, conflict management strategies, and communication skills.
- BehavioralPsychoeducational Materials
Infographics with information on emotion regulation development, emotion regulation strategies, and strategies for managing interpersonal conflict, including when different strategies are more or less effective will be provided to participants via email.
Location
- Child Study CenterBlacksburg, Virginia