Life Beyond Trauma: 1-on-1 e-Health Program for Parents of Neurodiverse Children

Life Beyond Trauma: 1-on-1 e-Health Program for Parents of Neurodiverse Children

Parents of neurodiverse children are more likely to experience traumatic events related to the care of their child/children. This increases the probability to experience Posttraumatic Stress Injury (PTSI). However, interventions addressing PTSI symptoms in parents are rare.

In this research project the study investigators will test the feasibility and efficacy of e-NET, a distance-delivered, exposure-based intervention for PTSI adapted to the needs of parents of neurodiverse children. E-NET is an adapted version of the Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET), an evidence-based intervention approach for individuals with PTSI who have experienced repeated or continuous trauma. The intervention will be conducted via videoconferencing with trained paraprofessionals. During the intervention a narrative of both positive and negative (traumatic) experiences in the parents' life will be created. The intervention contains approx. 12 one-on-one sessions with a trained paraprofessional via videoconferencing.

The study design is a waitlist control group design. Approx. 20 participants will receive e-NET directly after the baseline survey and 20 participants will receive e-NET approx. 3 months after the baseline survey. To test the efficacy of the intervention, participants will fill out surveys about PTSI and other mental health symptoms before, directly after, and 2 and 6 months after the intervention. Adverse events and distress will be assessed in every session. As part of the baseline, participants will complete the survey "Surviving and Thriving in Parenting Neurodiverse Children" to determine their eligibility for the intervention. Main eligibility criterion is the presence of PTSI symptoms.

Inclusion Criteria: Parent/Caregivers must meet the following criteria to be eligible to move on to Consent

1. Be a parent/caregiver of a neurodiverse child
2. Be at least 18 years of age
3. Be able to understand spoken and written English at a Grade 8 level
4. Fulfill the criteria of full or subclinical PTSI according to DSM-5, measured with the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5, the Parent Trauma Checklist and the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5. For this they have to report at least one traumatic event in the LEC-5 or the Stressful Life Experiences of Parents Checklist. To fulfill all PTSI criteria, the participant additionally needs to respond with "moderately" or higher in at least one item for the criteria B and C and two items for criteria D and E. Subclinical PTSI is fulfilled if the participant meets all but one criterion of B, C, D, or E is not met.
5. Have access to a computer with high speed Internet
6. Live in Canada
7. Commit to the requirements of taking part in the study (12 weekly coaching calls)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Acute suicidal behavior or other extreme forms of self-destructive behavior
2. Moderate to severe symptoms of dissociation
3. Acute psychotic symptoms
4. Previously participated in exposure intervention for PTSI/PTSD