The clinical- and cost-effectiveness of a parenting support group intervention for parents of preschool children with subclinical neurodevelopmental disorders and mental health problems

Research problem and specific questionsYoung children with subclinical neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) and concurrent emotional and behavioral problems (EBP) are at significant risk of negative consequences in the short and long term. Early parenting support interventions are recommended and requested.

However, there is a lack of interventions specifically designed for this group and adapted to a Swedish context.

Based on this gap, a parenting support intervention for parents with children 2-5-years of age with subclinical NDD and EBP has been co-created with clinicians and parents.

The current project aims to evaluate the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of this parenting support group intervention.RQs Does the parenting support intervention “Everyday life and parenting” have a clinically significant effect on child behavior problems, parent self-efficacy, stress, well-being and quality of life and, if so, is this related to child type and level of NDD symptoms and family background factors?What are the trajectories of mental health and well-being of the children and their parents and how are they related to each other over time?Is the “Everyday life and parenting” intervention cost-effective?

Data and methodThe study uses a multiple-baseline single-case experimental design (SCED) with pre- and, post- measures and a 3-month follow-up.

Outcomes will include child emotional and behavioral problems and parent self-efficacy, stress, well-being, and quality of life, as well as costs for the intervention, health care use, and QALYs.Relevance and utilizationThe findings in this project will be of relevance for children with subclinical NDDs and their parents as well as health care organizations and the scientific community.

The intervention is well suited to the end users and the clinical context, as it has been co-created with clinicians and parents.

It has the potential of being cost-effective as it builds on evidence-based components and existing resources.The suggested proposal is well suited to Forte’s areas of coordination on children and adolescents, specifically targeting the vulnerable group of young children with subclinical NDDs and their mental health.Project realizationThis 3-year project incorporates three studies which build a shared data collected in three waves.

It is based on a well-established co-creation between the multidisciplinary research group and the clinical project group. A parent advisory board will be consulted throughout.