TGNB CARE Mentalizing-Focused Parenting Groups (TGNB-CARE)

Pilot Trial of Mentalizing-Focused Parenting Groups for Caregivers of Gender Diverse Youth

The primary objective of this pilot intervention study is to build upon the Connecting and Reflecting Experience (CARE) clinical trial [Clinical Trials Number: NCT04580459] and evaluate the acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary outcomes of CARE when implemented via tele-health among caregivers of transgender and nonbinary (TGNB) youth (TGNB-CARE).

The main questions it aims to answer are:

• To determine the feasibility and acceptability of the CARE treatment adaptation for caregivers of TGNB youth following the 12-session, mentalizing-focused, group parenting intervention. The study team hypothesizes that the adaptation and implementation of the CARE intervention will be found to be feasible and acceptable for study participants.
• To assess whether self-reported parenting stress and stressors, parental acceptance, parental reflective functioning, parent positive feelings, and perceived interpersonal support improve among study participants following the 12-session, mentalizing-focused, group parenting intervention. The study team hypothesizes that the CARE treatment group adaptation will show improvements across these outcomes.

Caregivers will be asked to complete surveys at baseline (T0), following their first session (T1), and at post-intervention (T2). A feedback interview will also be completed at T2.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult caregivers (mothers, fathers, primary caregivers, or legal guardians) who are English-speaking (as the research assessments and intervention will be conducted in English).

• Participants will be caregivers who:

  1. have a TGNB child who is receiving psychiatric services, has a mental health diagnosis, and/or has a diagnosis of gender dysphoria and is receiving medical or behavioral health services through Montefiore Medical Center and
  2. express interest in receiving a parenting intervention delivered via telehealth services through Montefiore Medical Center.

In addition, subjects will:

1. endorse past or current tension and/or interpersonal stress related to their child's gender identity and/or
2. express interest in receiving support in the context of gender-affirming parenting.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Caregiver has severe mental illness or significant cognitive impairment
• Additionally, caregivers who have participated in prior or current CARE groups or have participated in any parenting support groups in the past year will be excluded from participation.