Thrive Initiative Parent-Education Programming Study

April 2, 2026 updated by: Ryan Chesnut, Penn State University

Thrive Initiative Domestic and Chlid Abuse Prevention Programming Study

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Thrive Initiative's parent-education program delivery methods by comparing hybrid (i.e., a combination of online and group components) program delivery to online-only program delivery. The Thrive Initiative consists of four, universal parent-education programs that correpsond to specific child developmental periods. These programs inlcude: Take Root for parents/caregivers of 0-3-year-old children; Sprout for parents/caregivers of 3-5-year-old children; Grow for parents/caregivres of 5-10-year-old children; and Branch Out for parents/caregivers of 10-18-year-old children. The effectiveness of delivery method will be examined for each program. Eligible participants for this study will be United States Air Force service members or dependents who are caregivers of a child 0-18 years old. The study will involve randomization to condition meaning that participants will be assigned to the online-only or hybrid program delivery condition by chance.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
480

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.
  • Name: Ryan P Chesnut, PhD
  • Phone Number: 8148659637
  • Email: rpc5108@psu.edu

Study Contact Backup

  • Name: Daniel F Perkins, PhD
  • Phone Number: 8148674182
  • Email: dfp102@psu.edu

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Pennsylvania
      • University Park, Pennsylvania, United States, 16802
        • Recruiting
        • The Pennsylvania State University
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • United States Air Force service member or dependent
  • Parent/caregiver of a child 0-18 years old
  • 18 years of age or older
  • Willing to participate in the research study
  • Has access to technology that will enable them to receive and respond to various technological aspects of the Thrive Initiative programs and research study
  • Able to speak and understand English proficiently
  • Able to understand and give consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Not an United States Air Force service member or dependent
  • Not a parent/caregiver of a child 0-18 years old
  • 17 years of age or younger
  • Unwilling to participate in the research study
  • Does not have access to technology that will enable them to receive and respond to various technological aspects of the Thrive Initiative programs and research study
  • Unable to speak and understand English proficiently
  • Unable to understand and give consent

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Prevention
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Online-Only Thrive Inititaive Parent-Education Programming Condition
This arm involves the online-only versions of the Thrive Initiative parent-education programs.
Behavioral: Thrive Initiative Parent-Education Programming
The Thrive Initiative Parent-Education programs are universal prevention programs designed to support parents as they raise their children. There are four programs that correspond to specific child developmental periods. The programs include: Take Root for parents/caregivers of 0-3-year-old children; Sprout for parents/caregivers of 3-5-year-old children; Grow for parents/caregivers of 5-10-year-old children; and Branch Out for parents/caregivers of 10-18-year-old children. Each program focuses, in developmentally appropriate ways, on three primary dimensions: positive parenting, stress management, and healthy lifestyles. Each program is available in either an online-only format or a hybrid format, which includes group meetings in addition to the online program components.
Experimental: Hybrid Thrive Initiative Parent-Education Programming Condition
This arm involves the hybrid version of the Thrive Initiative parent-education programs. The hybrid version includes the online version and weekly group meetings that can occur in-person or virtually.
Behavioral: Thrive Initiative Parent-Education Programming
The Thrive Initiative Parent-Education programs are universal prevention programs designed to support parents as they raise their children. There are four programs that correspond to specific child developmental periods. The programs include: Take Root for parents/caregivers of 0-3-year-old children; Sprout for parents/caregivers of 3-5-year-old children; Grow for parents/caregivers of 5-10-year-old children; and Branch Out for parents/caregivers of 10-18-year-old children. Each program focuses, in developmentally appropriate ways, on three primary dimensions: positive parenting, stress management, and healthy lifestyles. Each program is available in either an online-only format or a hybrid format, which includes group meetings in addition to the online program components.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Ages & Stages Questionnaire: Social-Emotional (2nd Edition)
Time Frame: Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
This measure of child social-emotional development is administered for the Take Root and Sprout programs. The measure includes five domains (communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem-solving, and personal-social). Scores within each domain range from 0 to 60 with higher scores reflecting typical development.
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
Mindful Self-Care Scale
Time Frame: Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
This measure of participants' self-care strategies, in the domains of physical care, mindful relaxation, and supportive living and work enivronments and schedules, is administered for the Take Root program. Domain scores range from 1 to 4 with higher scores indicating greater engagement in self-care.
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
National Survey of Early Childhood Health - Discipline Items
Time Frame: Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
This measure of participants discipline practices is administered for the Take Root and Sprout programs. Item scores range from 1 to 4 with higher scores reflecting more frequent use of the stated discipline practice.
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
Parental Stress Scale
Time Frame: Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
This measure of parenting stress is administered for the Take Root, Sprout, Grow, and Branch Out programs. Scores range from 7 to 35 with higher scores indicating greater stress.
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
Parenting Sense of Competence Scale
Time Frame: Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
This measure of parenting efficacy and satisfaction is administered for the Take Root, Sprout, Grow, and Branch Out programs. For the efficacy domain, scores range from 9 to 54. For the satisfaction domain, scores range from 7 to 42. Higher scores indicate greater efficacy and satisfaction.
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
Positive Behavior Scale
Time Frame: Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
This measure of positive child behavior, which assesses the domains of social competence, compliance, and autonomy, is administered for the Take Root and Sprout programs. Domain scores range from 1 to 5 with higher scores indicating more positive behavior.
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
Protective Factors Survey
Time Frame: Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
This measure of protective factors for child maltreatment, which includes family functioning, emotional support, concrete support, and nurturing and attachment, is administered for the Take Root and Sprout programs. Scores for each factor range from 1 to 7 with higher scores reflecting greater protection.
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
Co-Viewing Media & Screen Time Recall
Time Frame: Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
This measure of participants' co-viewing behavior with their child and their child's screen time is administered for the Sprout program. Participants separately record the amount of time, in minutes and hours, they spend co-viewing media with their child and their child's screen time. The lower bound for the measure is 0, and there is no specific upper bound. Higher scores reflect greater time spent co-viewing media and greater screen time.
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
Outdoor Time Recall
Time Frame: Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
This measure of a child's time spent playing outdoors is administered for the Sprout and Grow programs. Participants record, in minutes and hours, the amount of time their child spends playing outside. The lower bound is 0, and there is no specific upper bound. Higher scores reflect greater time spent playing outdoors.
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
Parenting Scale - Short Form
Time Frame: Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
This measure of the participants' discipline orientation, which involves the domains of over-reactivity and laxness, is administered for the Sprout and Grow programs. Domain scores range from 1 to 7 with higher scores indicating greater over-reactivity or laxness.
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
Parenting Young Children Scale
Time Frame: Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
This measure of participants' positive parenting practices, which includes the domains of supporting good behavior, setting limits, and proactive parenting, is administered for the Sprout program. Domain scores range from 7 to 49 with higher scores indicating more frequent engagement in positive parenting practices.
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
Strengths & Difficulties Questionnaire
Time Frame: Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
This measure of a child's behavior, which includes the domains of conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, peer problems, emotional symptoms, and prosocial behavior, is administered for the Sprout, Grow, and Branch Out programs. Domain scores range from 0 to 10. For domains related to externalizing and internalizing behaviors, higher scores indicate more problematic functioning. For the prosocial domain, higher scores indicate greater positive functioning.
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
Alabama Parenting Questionnaire - 9
Time Frame: Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
This measure of participants' parenting behavior, which assesses the domains of positive parenting, inconsistent discipline, and poor parental monitoring, is administered for the Grow and Branch Out programs. Domain scores range from 1 to 5 with higher scores reflecting more frequent positive parenting, inconsistent discipline, and poor parental monitoring.
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
Feeding Practices & Structure Questionnaire
Time Frame: Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
This measure of the feeding behaviors and environment participants use with their children is administered for the Grow program. The specific domains assessed include using food as a reward for behavior and using rewards to encourage eating. Domain scores range from 1 to 5 with higher scores indicating more problematic feeding practices.
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
Healthy Habits Index
Time Frame: Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
This measure of participants encouragement and support of healthy habits in their children is administered for the Grow program. Scores ranges from 1 to 5 with higher scores reflecting greater engagement in healthy behaviors.
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
Interpersonal Mindfulness in Parenting Scale
Time Frame: Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
This measure of participants use of mindfulness in their parenting is administered for the Grow program. Scores range from 1 to 5 with higher scores indicating greater incorporation of mindful practices in participants' parenting approach.
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
Parental Emotional Styles Questionnaire
Time Frame: Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
This measure of participants use of emotion regulation orientation is administered for the Grow program. Scores range from 1 to 5 with higher scores reflecting an emotion-coaching, as opposed to an emotion-avoidant, parenting style.
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
Socialization of Coping Questionnaire
Time Frame: Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
This measure of participants encouragement of their child's development of different coping strategies, which includes the domains of primary control engagement and cognitive restructuring, is administered for the Grow program. Domain scores range from 1 to 5 with higher scores reflecting greater encouragment of the indicated coping strategy.
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
Family Assessment Device - General Functioning
Time Frame: Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
This measure of general family functioning is administered for the Branch Out program. Scores range from 1 to 4 with higher scores reflecting worse family functioning.
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
Parent-Adolescent Communication Scale
Time Frame: Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
This measure of parent-adolescent communication, which assesses the domains of open and problematic communication, is administered for the Branch Out program. Domain scores range from 1 to 5 with higher scores in each domain indicating more open and problematic communication patterns.
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
Targeted Parent-Child Communication about Substances Scale
Time Frame: Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end
This measure of the participants communication with their child about substances is administered for the Branch Out program. Scores range from 1 to 5 with higher scores indicating more explicit or intentional communication about substance use.
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start), up to 6 weeks after intervention start, and 6 months after intervention end

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8
Time Frame: Up to 6 weeks after intervention start
This measure of participant satisfaction is adminstered for the Take Root, Sprout, Grow, and Branch Out programs. Scores range from 8 to 32 with higher scores reflecting greater satisfaction.
Up to 6 weeks after intervention start
Program Noncompletion Reason(s) Survey
Time Frame: Up to 6 weeks after intervention start
This measure of program participation barriers is administered for Take Root, Sprout, Grow, and Branch Out. Participants select the most appropriate barriers from the list provided, and they are given the option to write in additional barriers not listed.
Up to 6 weeks after intervention start

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Demographic Survey
Time Frame: Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start)
This measure of participants' demographic and contextual characteristics is administered for Take Root, Sprout, Grow, and Branch Out.
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention start)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Penn State University

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
United States Air Force

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Ryan P Chesnut, PhD, The Pennsylvania State University
  • Principal Investigator: Daniel F Perkins, PhD, The Pennsylvania State University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
March 31, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
June 1, 2028

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 31, 2028

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
January 31, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 6, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
February 12, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
April 8, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
April 2, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • STUDY00026099
  • FA701425C0004 (Other Grant/Funding Number: United States Department of the Air Force)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

IPD will not be shared per the guidance received from the United States Department of the Air Force.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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