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HappinessNCT05535881

Strengths to Grow: An Online Parenting Resource

A study testing Strengths to Grow Program in people with Happiness and Self Efficacy, run by University of Guelph at 1 site in Canada.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

Research suggests that strength-based parenting programs can enhance family well-being, but the current formats of these programs (e.g., in-person workshops) are not accessible to many families. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Any ageHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Happiness, Self Efficacy, Positive Affect
What is being tested?
Strengths to Grow Program
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
400 participants
Where
1 siteCanada
Study dates
1 Oct 2022to 28 Jun 2024
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages Any age
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Child, Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Parent of a child(ren) who is enrolled in Kindergarten to Grade 3 at the Upper Grand District School Board in Guelph, Ontario
  • Able to read and write in English (linguistic proficiency equivalent to a Grade 8 reading level or greater)
  • Consent to participate in the research study

Who cannot join

None listed.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Canada1 site
  • Upper Grand District School Board

    Guelph, Ontario, N1E 6K2

Other trials in Canada

About this study

Research suggests that strength-based parenting programs can enhance family well-being, but the current formats of these programs (e.g., in-person workshops) are not accessible to many families. The first aim of the study is to develop a strength-based parenting program that is delivered in an accessible and engaging format. A community sample of parents will interact with the online program and complete a brief interview to provide suggestions to increase accessibility and engagement. The second aim of the study is to assess the effectiveness of a strength-based parenting program delivered in an online, interactive format. Toward this end, parents of children in kindergarten to Grade 3 will be invited to complete a brief, online survey of well-being before and a few weeks after completing the online program to assess its impact on well-being.

Read the detailed description

Strength-based Parenting

Strength-based parenting is a style of caregiving which identifies and cultivates strengths in the child and caregiver. When parents employ a strength-based parenting style, youth tend to demonstrate greater academic achievement, resilience, and overall well-being, and parents tend to experience more well-being within the caregiving role. Additionally, it is believed that caregivers can develop a strength-based parenting style through training and practice. For these reasons, several strength-based parenting programs have been developed.

Character Strengths

Strength-based parenting programs typically focus on helping parents to identify and develop a particular type of strength known as character strengths. Character strengths are personal qualities that are widely regarded as morally good (e.g., bravery, curiosity, kindness). In 2004, Peterson and Seligman completed a comprehensive review that identified 24 character strengths. The development and use of these 24 character strengths has consistently been shown to be associated with well-being across the lifespan.

Strength-based Parenting Programs

The content of strength-based parenting programs typically revolves around introducing parents to character strengths, helping parents to identify character strengths within themselves and their child, teaching parents to notice and encourage their child's use of strengths, and helping parents to employ their strengths within the caregiving role. Within the published literature, strength-based parenting programs have been delivered in two formats: in-person workshops and online handouts. These programs had positive effects, including improving caregiving self-efficacy, positive emotions toward the child, and family well-being relative to waitlist control groups. However, the format of these programs may have limited the number of parents who could access and engage with the resources.

Access and Engagement

It is important to consider the extent to which caregivers can access and engage with programs because access and engagement are necessary pre-requisites to program effectiveness. Research on parenting programs suggests that in-person workshops are not accessible to many families, particularly families of lower socio-economic status. Online handouts may be more accessible, but may struggle to engage families, as interactive, media-rich online materials tend to be more engaging. The present study aims to increase the accessibility of strength-based parenting programs by offering the resources online, and to increase engagement by providing interactive rather than static online materials.

An Online, Interactive, Strength-based Parenting Program

O'Byrne et al. examined pilot project data from an online, interactive strength-based parenting program. The thirty-minute program was delivered to parents of kindergarten children. Through focus groups and analyzing parents' interactions with the online program, the pilot project found that parents reacted positively to the online, interactive format and the strength-based content. Additionally, within the sample, the program was accessible to families of lower socio-economic status who are difficult to access with in-person resources. Although the pilot project generated promising results, it relied on a small sample and effectiveness was not examined. The present project aims to build upon this initial work by using the pilot project results to revise the program and evaluating the revised program using a larger sample of caregivers.

Being tested
Strengths to Grow Program

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Strengths to Grow ProgramBehavioural

    In an online, self-directed format, the Strengths to Grow program will present the principles of strength-based parenting using videos, pictures, reflection questions, and written text. The intervention will communicate that a) every child has a unique set of strengths and that b) noticing and developing these strengths can enhance child and family well-being. It will also provide concrete steps that parents can follow to talk with their child about strengths, and it will provide ideas for family activities that would allow family members to express strengths. Participants will be invited to respond to reflection questions at various points throughout the program.

Study groups in NCT05535881
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Experimental GroupExperimentalNot described
Receives: Behavioral: Strengths to Grow Program
Waitlist Control GroupNo interventionNot described

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Parenting Sense of Competence Scale: Efficacy Subscale

    The efficacy subscale of the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale (PSOC) is a 7-item measure of caregivers' perceived competence and capability in handling child problems (e.g., "I honestly believe I have all the skills necessary to be a good parent to my child"). Participants respond to each item using a 6-point scale ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree. Total scores range from 7 to 42 with higher scores indicate higher caregiving self-efficacy.

    Measured: 1 week

  2. Modified Differential Emotions Scale

    The Modified Differential Emotions Scale (mDES) is a ten-item measure of the frequency of positive emotions. Participants rate how often they have felt a particular positive emotion (e.g., grateful) in the past two weeks using a 5-point scale ranging from "never" to "most of the time". Consistent with Waters and Sun (2016), the scale instructions will be modified to assess the frequency of positive emotions felt in relation to the parents' child (i.e., "Thinking about your child(ren), how often do you feel each of the following?") Total scores range from 10 to 50 with higher scores indicate more positive emotions toward the child(ren).

    Measured: 1 week

  3. Subjective Happiness Scale

    The four-item Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) assesses participant's sense of their overall well-being. Participants respond to items (e.g., Some people are generally very happy. They enjoy life regardless of what is going on, getting the most out of everything. To what extent does this characterization describe you?) on a 7-point scale that differs across items. Total scores range from 4 to 28 with higher scores indicate higher happiness.

    Measured: 1 week

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted10 Sep 2022
  2. Study start1 Oct 2022
  3. Primary completion28 Jun 2024
  4. Study completion28 Jun 2024

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Supportive care
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
The current study is a two-wave randomized controlled trial that employs a 2 (group - between participants) by 2 (time - within participants) mixed measures design to assess a brief online strength-based parenting program.
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
400 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05535881
Sponsor's protocol ID
21-08-001
Status last verified
Jul 2024
First submitted
6 Sep 2022
Last updated
26 Sep 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: There is no plan to share individual participant data as this has not been approved by our Research Ethics Board.

Publications

  • Danaher BG, Boles SM, Akers L, Gordon JS, Severson HH. Defining participant exposure measures in Web-based health behavior change programs. J Med Internet Res. 2006 Aug 30;8(3):e15. doi: 10.2196/jmir.8.3.e15.

    PubMed 16954125
  • Eisner M, Meidert U. Stages of parental engagement in a universal parent training program. J Prim Prev. 2011 Apr;32(2):83-93. doi: 10.1007/s10935-011-0238-8.

    PubMed 21424399
  • Fernandez MA, Eyberg SM. Predicting treatment and follow-up attrition in parent-child interaction therapy. J Abnorm Child Psychol. 2009 Apr;37(3):431-41. doi: 10.1007/s10802-008-9281-1.

    PubMed 19096926
  • Fredrickson, B. L. (2013). Chapter One-Positive Emotions Broaden and Build. In P. Devine & A. Plant (Eds.), Advances in Experimental Social Psychology (Vol. 47, pp. 1-53). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-407236-7.00001-2

  • Ivtzan, I., Niemiec, R. M., & Briscoe, C. (2016). A study investigating the effects of Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice (MBSP) on wellbeing. International Journal of Wellbeing, 6(2), 1-13. https://doi.org/10/gfscgj

  • Jach, H. K., Sun, J., Loton, D., Chin, T.-C., & Waters, L. (2018). Strengths and subjective wellbeing in adolescence: Strength-based parenting and the moderating effect of mindset. Journal of Happiness Studies, 19(2), 567-586. https://doi.org/10/gfscg9

  • Johnston, C., & Mash, E. J. (1989). A Measure of Parenting Satisfaction and Efficacy. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 18(2), 167-175. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15374424jccp1802_8

  • Kazdin, A. E., & Rabbitt, S. M. (2013). Novel models for delivering mental health services and reducing the burdens of mental illness. Clinical Psychological Science, 1(2), 170-191. https://doi.org/10/gc4pnm

  • Lavigne JV, Lebailly SA, Gouze KR, Binns HJ, Keller J, Pate L. Predictors and correlates of completing behavioral parent training for the treatment of oppositional defiant disorder in pediatric primary care. Behav Ther. 2010 Jun;41(2):198-211. doi: 10.1016/j.beth.2009.02.006. Epub 2009 Dec 5.

    PubMed 20412885
  • Lyubomirsky, S., & Lepper, H. S. (1999). A Measure of Subjective Happiness: Preliminary Reliability and Construct Validation. Social Indicators Research, 46(2), 137-155. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006824100041

  • McGoron L, Hvizdos E, Bocknek EL, Montgomery E, Ondersma SJ. Feasibility of Internet-based Parent Training for Low-income Parents of Young Children. Child Youth Serv Rev. 2018 Jan;84:198-205. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.12.004. Epub 2017 Dec 5.

    PubMed 29731531
  • O'Byrne R, Thompson R, Friedmann JS, Lumley MN. Parent Engagement with an Online, School-Based, Character Strengths Promotion Program. Int J Appl Posit Psychol. 2022;7(3):355-377. doi: 10.1007/s41042-022-00072-4. Epub 2022 Aug 11.

    PubMed 35971433
  • Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Introduction to a "manual of the sanities." In Character strengths and virtues (pp. 18-104). American Psychological Association; Oxford University Press. https://books.scholarsportal.info/uri/ebooks/ebooks0/oxford/2009-11-30/3/0195167015

  • Ritterband, L. M., Cox, D. J., Gordon, T. L., Borowitz, S. M., Kovatchev, B. P., Walker, L. S., & Sutphen, J. L. (2006). Examining the Added Value of Audio, Graphics, and Interactivity in an Internet Intervention for Pediatric Encopresis. Children's Health Care, 35(1), 47-59. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15326888chc3501_5

  • Shoshani A, Shwartz L. From Character Strengths to Children's Well-Being: Development and Validation of the Character Strengths Inventory for Elementary School Children. Front Psychol. 2018 Nov 2;9:2123. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02123. eCollection 2018.

    PubMed 30450070

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Strengths to Grow Program in people with Happiness and Self Efficacy, run by University of Guelph at 1 site in Canada.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 0 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 26 Sep 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Canada. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Parenting Sense of Competence Scale: Efficacy Subscale (time frame: 1 week). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05535881, which also lists 20 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 26 Sep 2025.

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