2018 |
Neece, Cameron Leigh |
R15Activity Code Description: Supports small-scale research projects at educational institutions that provide baccalaureate or advanced degrees for a significant number of the Nation’s research scientists but that have not been major recipients of NIH support. The goals of the program are to (1) support meritorious research, (2) expose students to research, and (3) strengthen the research environment of the institution. Awards provide limited Direct Costs, plus applicable F&A costs, for periods not to exceed 36 months. This activity code uses multi-year funding authority; however, OER approval is NOT needed prior to an IC using this activity code. |
Mindfulness and Parent Stress Reduction: Improving Outcomes For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT Significance: Families of children with ASD experience heightened risk due to elevated rates of clinically-significant parenting stress and child externalizing behavior problems. Parenting stress is a robust predictor of subsquent externalizing challenges in children with ASD. Nonetheless, few evidenced-based treatments exist for reducing parenting stress in these families. The mechanisms through which parenting stress influence child externalizing problems are also unclear, although preliminary evidence suggests the potential role of negative parenting behaviors. The proposed study comprehensively addresses these considerations by testing the efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) as an intervention to reduce parenting stress, lessen parental reactivity and negativity, and decrease child externalizing behaviors. Innovation: MBSR is particularly well-suited for parents of children with ASD given the intervention emphasis on teaching participants to manage reactivity in the context of persistent stress. However, the efficacy of MBSR has yet to be established for this population. The present investigation extends preliminary investigations of mindfulness approaches by: 1) conducting a stringent test of MSBR using an active psychoeducational (PE) control, 2) developing population-specific content and testing the efficacy of MSBR for parents of children with ASD, 3) utilizing a highly diverse, underserved community-based sample, 4) examining the mechanisms underlying observed treatment effects, and 5) employing multi-method longitudinal measurement from multiple sources in order to examine immediate and long-term treatment effects. Approach: The proposed study is a randomized controlled trial of 138 families of preschool-aged children with ASD. Parents will be randomized to MBSR or to a PE support group matched for clinical contact and dosage. Families will participate in laboratory assessments at baseline and immediately post-treatment, as well as at 6 months and 12 months post-treatment. Measures include standardized and validated parent and teacher questionnaires, gold-standard psychological assessments, and observational and interview ratings. Impact: Establishing an efficacious stress reduction intervention to target mechanisms linking parenting stress, negative parenting behaviors, and child externalizing problems will advance clinical science and optimize outcomes for children with ASD and their families. The proposal is based upon a history of substantial collaboration among research team members and involves faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates across two R15-eligible institutions that primarily serve underrepresented minority students, Loma Linda University (LLU) and California State University, Fullerton (CSUF). Consistent with R15 goals, the investigation will involve graduate and undergraduate students in every aspect of the research process. The study will enhance institutional training across two universities and will provide unparalleled clinical research experiences to underrepresented students in preparation for future careers in the behavioral sciences.
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1 |
2018 — 2021 |
Mcintyre, Laura Lee [⬀] Neece, Cameron Leigh |
R01Activity Code Description: To support a discrete, specified, circumscribed project to be performed by the named investigator(s) in an area representing his or her specific interest and competencies. |
Testing the Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Combined With Behavioral Parent Training in Families With Preschoolers With Developmental Delay
7. Project Summary/Abstract This application builds on our previous intervention work (e.g., McIntyre, 2008a, 2008b, 2013; McIntyre & Neece, 2016; Neece, 2014) and proposes a longitudinal intervention study of 230 preschool-age children (ages 3?5 years) with developmental delays (DD). Behavior problems and co-occurring parenting stress are common problems in children with DD and their families. High levels of parental stress are associated with reduced response to behavioral interventions for children with DD; yet, parenting stress is almost never directly addressed in these treatments (McIntyre & Neece, 2016). The proposed study will test the benefit of addressing parental stress prior to delivering behavioral parent training (BPT) in order to more effectively reduce child behavior problems once the intervention is delivered, as well as investigate the mechanisms through which intervention outcomes occur. The study design will use a cross-site randomized, controlled trial (RCT) of standard behavioral parent training with psychoeducation (BPT-E) compared with behavioral parent training plus mindfulness-based stress reduction (BPT-M). The sample will be drawn from Lane County, Oregon, and the Inland Empire in Southern California. All families will participate in home and laboratory assessments at baseline and home assessments immediately posttreatment, as well as at 6 months and 12 months posttreatment. Measures include standardized and validated self-report and teacher-report questionnaires, gold-standard psychological assessments, and observational measures. The primary outcome of interest is child behavior problems. Analyses will be conducted using standard normal theory regression and structural equation modeling techniques, with a particular focus on latent growth modeling. Primary intent-to- treat efficacy hypotheses comparing the BPT-E with BPT-M will be specified within a set of sequential mediation analyses. The proposed study is a cross-site RCT with a PI at each site. Dr. McIntyre (MPI, University of Oregon) has more than 15 years of experience working with children with DD and their families. Her research has focused on early intervention and prevention of behavior problems. Dr. McIntyre adapted the BPT intervention used in this study and has completed two RCTs assessing the efficacy of this intervention (R03 HD047711 and R01 HD059838). Dr. Neece (MPI, Loma Linda University) has more than a decade of experience working with children with DD, and during the past 5 years has studied the feasibility and efficacy of MBSR for a diverse sample of parents of preschool children with DD. Drs. McIntyre and Neece have engaged in collaborative research for more than 10 years and have coauthored publications focused on family factors predictive of behavioral outcomes in children with developmental disabilities.
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0.951 |