YOUCA App for Parents of Children With Mental Health Issues: A Pilot Study of Usability and Efficacy (NCT07766746) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
YOUCA App for Parents of Children With Mental Health Issues: A Pilot Study of Usability and Efficacy
Austria25 participantsStarted 2026-08
Plain-language summary
Parents play an important role in supporting their children's mental health but often feel unsure how to respond to emotional or mental health difficulties. To address this need, the PsyGes project developed the Youngsters Upbringing Mental Health Information and Counselling App (YOUCA), a smartphone app that provides parents with information, practical guidance, daily tips, communication strategies, a mental health glossary, and a directory of support services.
This study aims to evaluate the usability and potential effectiveness of YOUCA in improving parenting skills and parental self-efficacy (confidence in supporting a child). In this mixed-methods randomized waitlist-controlled pilot study, approximately 25 parents of children with mental health difficulties will participate. Participants will use the app over a four-week period and complete questionnaires before and after use. App usability and satisfaction will also be assessed. Interviews with parents and a focus group with psychosocial experts will provide additional feedback to support further app development and future larger-scale evaluation.
Who can participate
Age range
18 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:
* Adult (psychological) parents (Age \> 18 years) of children/adolescents aged 10-17
* AND previously/currently concerned about their child's mental health \& therefore seeking information/support
* AND willingness to comply with all study related procedures and provide informed consent
* AND owning a smartphone and willing to use it for installing and testing the YOUCA App within the intervention phase
* AND situated in the City of Vienna or surrounding areas
Exclusion Criteria:
* Lack of consent capacity in parents or acute crisis of the participants. No external expert assessment is conducted. An acute crisis is defined as screened by PHQ-4 score rated from 9 to 12 (Kroenke et al. 2009).
* Insufficient knowledge of German for questionnaire completion, app use and participation in the interview
Inclusion Criteria for Experts in Focus Group
* Active work in the field of psychosocial and mental health in the last three years
* AND working with children / adolescents between age 10 - 17 in the field of psychosocial and mental health
* AND willing to test the app on a private smartphone
* AND at least one year of work experience in respective fields
* AND situated in the City of Vienna or surrounding areas
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
1
Parenting to Reduce Adolescent Depression and Anxiety Scale Total Score
Timeframe: Baseline (intervention group and waitlist control group) 4 weeks, directly after intervention (intervention group) 4 weeks, directly after waiting time (waitlist control group) 8 weeks, directly after intervention (waitlist control group)
Trial details
NCT IDNCT07766746
SponsorFH Campus Wien, University of Applied Sciences