RecruitingInterventional

Using video feedback to strengthen interactions between parents with psychosis and their young children

This study explores a new way to help parents with psychosis connect with their young children. It's called video feedback, where parents watch videos of themselves playing with their child to spot positive interactions. Many parents with psychosis face challenges, and current support options are limited. This research aims to see if video feedback can strengthen these important bonds. Before a bigger trial, this initial study will check if the approach is practical and helpful. Participants will be randomly assigned to either receive video feedback or continue with their usual care. Everyone will complete questionnaires and have brief video recordings over several months to see how things are going.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

Start

03 Mar 2026

Estimated completion

01 Aug 2027

Psychosis

What is this study about?

This study is looking into ways to help parents who experience psychosis connect and interact with their young children. Psychosis is a serious mental health condition that can make it hard for parents to pick up on their child's cues and respond in a sensitive way. This can affect the wellbeing of both the parent and child, and might even lead to emotional problems for the child later on.

Currently, there aren't many proven ways to help parents with psychosis improve their interactions with their children. This study is testing an approach called 'video feedback'. It involves a therapist and parent watching short video clips of the parent and child playing together. The goal is to help parents notice and build on the positive moments where they respond well to their child. While this approach has helped other groups of parents, we don't know yet if it works for parents with psychosis. This initial study is a 'pilot' to see if a bigger study would be possible and useful.

By taking part, you would be helping researchers understand if this video feedback approach is a good way to support parents with psychosis. The information gathered will be really valuable in improving the help available to families in a similar situation in the future.

Key takeaways

This study explores a new way to help parents with psychosis connect with their young children.
It uses 'video feedback' to highlight positive parent-child interactions.
Participants will be randomly assigned to receive video feedback or usual care.
All participants will continue their current mental health treatment.
The study aims to improve support for families in the future.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for parents aged 16 to 65 who have been diagnosed with a psychotic disorder, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder with psychotic symptoms. You need to be currently receiving help from an NHS mental health team and be a primary caregiver for a child between 2 months and 3 years old.

Your child also needs to be between 2 and 36 months old and have regular contact with you. If you need an interpreter to communicate in English, that's fine too, as long as you're willing for them to be involved.

You wouldn't be able to join if another parent in your household is already in the study, or if you're taking part in another parenting programme. Also, if your mental health issues, thinking difficulties, or substance use are severe enough to stop you from engaging with the study, or if social services have stopped you from having contact with your child, you wouldn't be eligible. The research team will also make sure you can safely take part and understand what's involved.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 16 and 65 years old?
Do you have a diagnosis of psychosis and are you receiving NHS mental health care?
Are you a caregiver for a child aged 2 months to 3 years old?
Are you willing to complete questionnaires and have brief video recordings?
Are you able to provide informed consent (understand and agree to take part)?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll be randomly put into one of two groups, like flipping a coin – there's a 50/50 chance of being in either. One group will receive 'video feedback', and the other will continue with their usual mental health care.

If you're in the video feedback group, you'll have eight hour-long sessions with a specially trained therapist over about four months, either at home or in a clinic. During some visits, the therapist will briefly film you and your child playing. In other sessions, you'll watch short parts of these videos with the therapist to highlight positive interactions.

Everyone in the study will meet with a research assistant three times: at the beginning, after four months, and after seven months. These meetings will involve filling out questionnaires about your mental health, stress, your child's wellbeing, and your quality of life. The research assistant will also take a short video of you and your child playing. Some participants will also be asked to share their experiences in an interview at the end. You'll continue to receive your regular mental health treatment throughout the study.

Potential risks and benefits

It's important to know that we can't guarantee you'll personally benefit from taking part in this study. However, previous research with other parent groups suggests that video feedback can help parents feel stronger and more confident. The information gathered from this study will be really important in improving support for parents with psychosis in the future. The risks of taking part are expected to be small. Talking about your mental health and your children during assessments might sometimes feel upsetting. Also, if you're in the video feedback group, you'll need to set aside time for those sessions. Some people might feel a bit uncomfortable watching themselves on video, but the therapists are specially trained to help with any difficult feelings that might come up. You are always free to stop taking part in the study at any time, without giving a reason, and this won't affect your medical care.

Locations (5)

Slade Site
City only
Oxford, England
Warneford Hospital
Approximate
Oxford, England
Whiteleaf Centre
Approximate
Aylesbury, England
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust Mental Health Services
City only
Leicester, England
Merlyn Vaz Health and Social Care Centre
City only
Leicester, England

Common questions

What is 'psychosis'?

Psychosis is a mental health condition where a person might experience unusual thoughts, hear or see things others don't, or have strong beliefs that aren't based in reality. It can affect how a person thinks, feels, and behaves.

Will I have to stop my current mental health treatment?

No, absolutely not. Everyone in the study will continue to receive their usual mental health treatment and support from their care team.

What if I don't speak English fluently?

That's perfectly fine. If you're willing to have an interpreter involved, we can still include you in the study.

What if I feel uncomfortable during the video sessions?

The therapists are specially trained to help if you feel uncomfortable. Remember, the videos are about highlighting positive interactions, and you can discuss any feelings with your therapist.

How will my privacy be protected?

All your information will be kept confidential and handled according to strict privacy rules. Only the research team will have access to your data, and your identity won't be revealed in any reports.

How to find out more

Louise Johns

louise.johns@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk - Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.