Strongest Families Ontario

Approximately 14% of Canadian children aged 4 to 17 years (more than 800,000) have mental health problems. Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), which is characterized by a pattern of hostile, irritable, uncooperative behaviour, a failure to follow rules, and a pattern of conflict with parents and teachers, is among the most common, persistent, and problematic early childhood psychiatric disorders. Canadian prevalence estimates suggest that between 3 and 9 % of the general population meet diagnostic criteria for ODD. Two research groups, headed by Dr. McGrath in Nova Scotia and Dr. Cunningham in Ontario, each world leaders in child health research, will join forces with provincial mental health services and children’s mental health centres to form an interdisciplinary team. One RCT is proposed to examine the research question, “Does Strongest Families, a 12-week, home-based program of interactive readings, instructional videos, homework projects, and weekly “coaching” calls out perform the care families typically experience when referred to a mental health service?” We hypothesise that children randomised to Family Help will show a significantly greater reduction in externalizing behaviour problems than those randomised to a Control (usual care). The results of this trial will be used to expand the availability of evidence based treatments for children with ODD.

The Team: