Deployment-proofing families: can a parenting program shield young children from the stress of military separation?
NCT ID NCT03045159
First seen Jul 24, 2026 · Last updated Jul 24, 2026
Summary
This trial tests whether a parenting program called Strong Families Strong Forces can help active-duty military families with young children (birth to 5 years) cope with the stress of deployment. Families are randomly assigned to either the parenting program or a self-care program for parents. Researchers measure parenting stress, co-parenting behavior, and other outcomes to see which approach better supports families through the deployment cycle.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- a parenting program called Strong Families Strong Forces and a self-care program called Strong Parents
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward effective ways to reduce parenting stress and support family relationships during military deployment.
- What could go wrong
- This is a relatively small trial, and the benefits seen may not apply to all military families. The programs require both parents to participate, which may limit real-world use.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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115 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Mar 2016
- Finished
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Mar 2019
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Cohabitating couple with at least one child age birth to 5 years old in which one parent is active duty and is scheduled to deploy within the next 6 months * Anticipated deployment time must be at least six months and excludes separations due to the Service Member attending a school * Anticipate that non-deploying parent will remain in the area during the deployment * Both parents are willing to consent to study participation * DEERS -eligible * 18 years or older * English-speaking * The parent remaining at home to care for the children anticipates remaining within 30 miles of Fort Hood to be seen in home, otherwise will need to be seen in office * Anticipate that both parents will remain in the area for at least three months after redeployment to complete intervention and follow-up assessment Exclusion Criteria: * Any family member with a significant medical or psychiatric condition requiring a higher level of care than can be provided by the study/comparison protocols * Active psychosis or mania
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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STRONG STAR Research Consortium
Fort Hood, Texas, 76544, United States