Purpose This pilot study evaluated the acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary outcomes of a web-based education program for parents of adolescents experiencing school refusal. Method An eight-session online intervention was designed to enhance parenting capacity. Twenty-eight parents were enrolled in this single-group pretest–posttest pilot design, with 24 providing matched data. Acceptability and feasibility were assessed via parent satisfaction, attendance, and staff feasibility ratings. Primary outcomes assessed changes in parent–child relationship, parenting anxiety, and parenting efficacy. Results The program demonstrated promising acceptability and feasibility. Regarding preliminary outcomes, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and paired-samples t-tests suggested negative changes in parent–child conflict and parenting anxiety and a positive change in parenting efficacy, with medium to large effect sizes. Discussion Findings indicate promising acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary outcomes, warranting further controlled evaluation.
Purpose: Using survivor and family perspectives, this study identified priorities for an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted WeChat prototype for child sexual abuse survivors in China. Methods: Twenty-three studies informed nine support domains. Twenty stakeholders discussed an initial prototype across two sessions; four adult survivors and two family members were interviewed after using a revised prototype. Qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. Results: Survivors valued gradual engagement and anonymous expression without immediate trauma disclosure. Named offline services conveyed professional backing, while acceptance of AI remained selective. AI dialogue was viewed as an option when approaching others felt difficult, with reservations about sensitive disclosure and automated medical judgment. Family members valued communication guidance; stakeholders emphasized moderation and clear referral responsibilities. Discussion: The findings suggest that digital support should preserve survivors’ choice over disclosure and connect them with identifiable human services. AI may support the first approach to care; clinical effectiveness and safety require further evaluation.
Purpose: To examine acceptability and preliminary outcomes of a virtual reality (VR)-based nature exposure intervention for caregivers of autistic children. Method: A single-arm quasi-experimental mixed-methods pilot study enrolled 28 primary caregivers. We collected quantitative measures of caregiver-reported family resilience, affect, and nature connectedness at three time-points, alongside semistructured qualitative interviews. Results: Feasibility and acceptability were excellent with full retention and high satisfaction. Caregiver-reported family resilience improved at 1-month follow-up; social-resource utilization and family communication showed gains. Negative affect reduced postintervention but rebounded at follow-up, while positive affect remained stable. Qualitative data supported partial quantitative patterns. Discussion: This low-burden VR–nature intervention is feasible for autism caregivers and offers exploratory evidence for enhancing caregiver-reported family resilience in community social work settings.
Purpose: Animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) are widely used with trauma-exposed youth, yet whether the animal adds benefit beyond the accompanying therapy is unclear. Methods: Five databases were searched from inception to August 2026. Eleven studies yielded 73 effect sizes; uncontrolled pre–post and controlled between-condition effects were modeled separately. Results: Most studies were at serious or critical risk of bias. During participation, youth improved from posttraumatic stress ( g = 0.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.20, 1.20]) and internalizing symptoms ( g = 0.59, 95% CI [0.24, 0.94]); other domains were positive but imprecise. In four controlled comparisons, no domain showed a detectable AAI advantage; the posttraumatic stress point estimate favored the comparators ( g = −0.30, 95% CI [−1.47, 0.87]) but did not establish a difference. Discussion: Improvement during participation was observed, but incremental benefit was not. AAIs are best considered potential engagement adjuncts requiring direct evaluation rather than stand-alone trauma treatments.
Objective This study evaluated the effectiveness of a nonviolent communication (NVC) parenting practice intervention for Hong Kong Chinese parents. The intervention consisted of a one-off 3-hr NVC parenting workshop delivered as part of a school-based NVC project for parents of primary school students. Methods A pre–post evaluation design was employed. Thirty-eight parents completed pre- and 1-week follow-up questionnaires. Results Hypothesis 1 was supported, with improvements in compassionate parenting practices ( d = −0.583 to −1.074). Hypothesis 2 was supported, with reductions in authoritarian parenting practices ( d = –1.560 to −1.679). Hypothesis 3 was supported, with reductions in punitive parenting practices ( d = −2.129 to −3.344). Discussion The findings suggest that NVC-based parenting workshops may promote compassionate parenting practices and support more positive and respectful parent–child relationships among Hong Kong Chinese families.
