Theory-Based Parenting Intervention for Preschool Children's Health Behaviors
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorSun Yat-sen University
About this trial
The goal of this study is to test whether a 4-week online program can help parents better support health behaviors of their preschool children (aged 3-6 years). Preschool children often rely on their parents to build health behaviors, such as being physically active, limiting screen time, drinking fewer sugar-sweetened beverages, and washing their hands regularly.
The main questions this study aims to answer are:
Does the program improve parents' motivation, planning, and habits related to supporting their children's health behaviors? Do parents who receive the program provide more support for their children? Do preschool children in the program show improvements in health behaviors? Can improvements explained by changes in parents' psychological factors?
Researchers will compare parents who receive the program immediately to parents in a waitlist control group.
Participants will:
Complete online questionnaires before the program, after the program, and one month later (Intervention group only). Complete eight online sessions over four weeks using a mobile program.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
Parent of at least one child aged 3-6 years
Living in the same household as the child
Aged 18 years or older
Able to read and understand Chinese
Disqualifiers
Self-reported diagnosis of a severe psychiatric disorder that may interfere with participation
Cognitive impairment or language difficulties that prevent comprehension of study materials or completion of questionnaires
Currently participating in another structured parenting or health behavior intervention program
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
A 4-week theory-based online intervention targeting parental support
BehavioralThe intervention consists of eight sessions delivered over four weeks via a mobile program. Each session lasts approximately 20-30 minutes and includes multimedia materials and interactive exercises.
Treatment groups
80 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: 4-week multiple behavior change online intervention groupExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Waitlist control groupNo intervention 0 interventions
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Mean score on the Parental Support for Child Physical Activity Scale
Parental support for child physical activity will be assessed using a 3-item parent-reported questionnaire. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale. The total score is calculated as the mean of the three items, with higher scores indicating greater parental support for child physical activity. Items assess encouragement of outdoor play, co-participation in physical activity, and providing transportation for physical activity.
Time frame
Baseline, post-intervention (4 weeks), and 1-month follow-up2
Mean score on the Parental Support for Child Screen Time Reduction Scale
Assessed using a 2-item parent-reported questionnaire rated on a 7-point Likert scale. The outcome is calculated as the mean score across items, with higher scores indicating greater parental support for reducing child screen time. Items assess encouraging children to stop screen use and reminding children to follow screen-time rules.
Time frame
Baseline, post-intervention (4 weeks), and 1-month follow-up3
Mean score on the Parental Support for Child Handwashing Scale
Measured using a 3-item parent-reported questionnaire rated on a 7-point Likert scale. The outcome is the mean item score, with higher scores indicating greater parental support for child handwashing. Items assess teaching proper handwashing methods, reminders before meals and after toilet use, and parental modeling of handwashing behavior.
Time frame
Baseline, post-intervention (4 weeks), and 1-month follow-up4
Mean score on the Parental Support for Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Reduction Scale
Measured using a 4-item parent-reported questionnaire rated on a 7-point Likert scale. The outcome is calculated as the mean score across items, with higher scores indicating greater parental support for reducing children's sugar-sweetened beverage intake. Items assess limiting beverage intake, encouraging healthier alternatives, discussing health consequences, and parental role modeling.
Time frame
Baseline, post-intervention (4 weeks), and 1-month follow-upSecondary outcomes
1
Parental Attitude Toward Supporting Child Health Behaviors
Parental attitude will be assessed using a self-report questionnaire consisting of 4 items evaluating parents' positive or negative evaluations of supporting their child's health behaviors. Items are rated on a 7-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 7 = strongly agree).
Time frame
Baseline, post-intervention (4 weeks), and 1-month follow-up2
Subjective Norm Toward Supporting Child Health Behaviors
Subjective norm will be measured using a self-report scale assessing perceived social pressure from important others to support children's health behaviors. Items are rated on a 7-point Likert scale (1-7)
Time frame
Baseline, post-intervention (4 weeks), and 1-month follow-up3
Parental Self-Efficacy for Supporting Child Health Behaviors
Self-efficacy will be assessed using a 2-item self-report questionnaire measuring parents' confidence in supporting their child's healthy behaviors under various situations.Items are rated on a 7-point Likert scale
Time frame
Baseline, post-intervention (4 weeks), and 1-month follow-up4
Perceived Social Norm Supporting Child Health Behaviors
Perceived social norm reflects parents' perceptions of common practices among peers regarding supporting children's health behaviors.Items are rated on a 7-point Likert scale and averaged.Higher scores indicate stronger perceived normative support
Time frame
Baseline, post-intervention (4 weeks), and 1-month follow-upSponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov