RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07136584

SOS for Caregiver Wellbeing

SOS for Caregiver Wellbeing: Testing the Feasibility of a Screening, Outcomes and Support (SOS) Model for Parents and Caregivers of Children With Chronic Conditions

Sponsor

Murdoch Childrens Research Institute

Enrollment

100 participants

Start Date

Oct 22, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Anxiety Depression Stress Mental Health Depression and Burden in Caregivers Caregiver Anxiety Parent of Child With Chronic Life-threatening Illness

Summary

Parents and caregivers of children who have a chronic condition carry a large care burden and are at higher risk of having mental health symptoms. This study aims to see if completion of a mental health questionnaire by parents / caregivers at or before the child's paediatric appointment can help identify any symptoms of stress, anxiety or depression. Following the questionnaire, parents / caregivers will be provided with the results of the questionnaire along with an information resource sheet. This will include information on anxiety, stress and depression, as well as different agencies they can contact to get support. Parents / caregivers will be followed up at 3 and 6 months to see if they have any changes to mental health and quality of life, and whether they accessed any support services. The primary aim for this trial is to see whether parents / caregivers find this process acceptable, and whether it can work in a busy hospital clinic.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria2

must be a parent of a child \<18yo in an outpatient clinic at Royal Children's Hospital (in enrolled clinics either neuromuscular or diabetes)
able to complete a consent form in English without an interpreter

Exclusion Criteria1

need for an interpreter to complete informed consent

Interventions

OTHERScreening, Outcomes and Referral Pathways

All participants complete baseline screening with follow up at 3 and 6 months. A key feature of the study is that a standardised information resource sheet (to community-based services) is provided to all caregivers, regardless of their screening scores. Primary outcomes focus on implementation feasibility and acceptability, while secondary outcomes examine service uptake and longitudinal measurement of caregiver wellbeing. This differs from existing research by providing resources universally rather than only to those scoring above clinical thresholds. Our longitudinal follow-up addresses an evidence gap identified in our systematic review - limited published data on downstream effects on actual service uptake and mental health outcomes over time. The services in the resource sheet also link to routine clinical care that doesn't require specialist support programs with dedicated funding.