Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

Caregiver Mind-Mindedness Training to Alleviate Social Anxiety in Children

United Kingdom100 participantsStarted 2024-11-01

Plain-language summary

This randomized controlled trial (RCT) aims to investigate the efficacy of Mind-Mindedness (MM) training for caregivers as an early intervention for preschool-aged children (4 to 7 years) exhibiting signs of social anxiety. The study posits that enhancing caregivers' ability to recognize and respond to their children's thoughts, feelings, and intentions-termed Mind-Mindedness-can foster secure attachments and improve socioemotional outcomes for children. A total of 100 primary caregivers will be recruited from the United Kingdom and Iran, with participants randomly assigned to either an MM training intervention group or a peer support control group. The MM training will consist of three online sessions, each lasting one hour, focusing on strategies for implementing mind-minded comments and enhancing emotional understanding. The peer support group will provide caregivers with an online platform for sharing experiences related to their child's anxiety without receiving structured training. Assessments of Mind-Mindedness, child social anxiety, attachment, and theory of mind will be conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and three months after the intervention using validated measures. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of MM training in reducing social anxiety symptoms in children while examining the potential mediating roles of attachment and theory of mind in this relationship. By incorporating a cross-cultural approach, this research will contribute to understanding the influence of cultural contexts on the effectiveness of caregiver interventions. The anticipated findings could establish MM training as a valuable strategy for mitigating social anxiety in preschoolers and inform future clinical practices aimed at enhancing caregiver-child interactions.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 60 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Primary Caregiver Status: Participants must be the primary caregiver of a child aged 4 to 7 years. Age of Caregiver: Caregivers must be between 18 and 60 years old. Geographical Location: Caregivers must reside in either the United Kingdom or Iran. Social Anxiety Symptoms: Children must exhibit observable signs of social anxiety, which will be confirmed through a standardized screening tool. Exclusion Criteria: * Clinical Diagnosis: Children with a clinical diagnosis of another psychiatric disorder (e.g., autism spectrum disorder, ADHD) will be excluded. Concurrent Support: Caregivers of children who are currently receiving any other form of psychological support or treatment for social anxiety will be excluded.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Child Social Anxiety Levels

Timeframe: Data will be collected at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at a 3-month follow-up

Trial details

NCT IDNCT06657014

SponsorHeriot-Watt University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2024-12-30

Contact for this trial

Hiva Javadian Javadian, PhD

07456927219 hj2015@hw.ac.uk

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Social Anxiety Disorder of Childhood trials