An Analysis of Six Month Follow-Up Data from a Peer Parent Support Study

AbstractThe current study examines trajectories of treatment outcomes 6  months after completion of a peer parent program,NAMI Basics. Fifty-two caregivers who were part of a larger trial completed questionnaires prior to, immediately after, and 6  months after completingNAMI Basics. Growth curve models were used to examine trajectories of caregiver ratings of parent activation and engagement, parent help-seeking intentions, child symptoms, outpatient service use, and parent stress at 6  months after completion of the program. Prior improvements to the outcomes of parent activation and engagement (β = 2.31, p <  .001, d = 1.35), parent help-seeking intentions (β = 1.94, p = .017, d = 0.69), and child intrapersonal distress (β = − 3.93, p = 0.046, d = 0.58) were maintained at 6 months, while help-seeking intentions was not (β = 1.31, p = .222, d = 0.47). Thou gh no changes were observed immediately post-class, caregivers reported significant increases in outpatient services use (β = − 1.51, p = .030, d = 0.68) and reductions in parenting stress (β = − 4.99, p = 0.009, d = 0.75) and overall child symptoms (β = − 19. 67, p = 0.001, d = 0.90) at 6 month follow-up. These results suggest that many of the positive impacts of theNAMI Basics program are sustained 6  months after the intervention. Additionally, these results suggest that some positive outcomes of the program ...
Source: Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research