# Pediatric Motivational mHealth Parent Training for Child Disruptive Behaviors

> **NIH NIH K01** · WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $131,790

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Disruptive behavior disorders are prevalent in young children. Although highly effective parent training
programs are available, only 3% of young children receive any mental health treatment. Ultimately, the reach
of traditional parent training programs is limited. Technology is a promising tool for expanding the reach of
parent training. The long-term objective of this K01 Research Scientist Development Award is to launch Dr.
Kathleen “Lucy” McGoron’s program of research as an independent investigator developing technology-based
solutions for disruptive behavior in young children. Through this award, under the guidance of experts including
Dr. Steven Ondersma as primary mentor, Dr. McGoron’s strong background in developmental
psychopathology and traditional parent training will be enhanced by advanced training in 1) motivational
mHealth interventions, 2) qualitative methodology to guide early mHealth intervention development, and 3)
services research within the context of health care for children. Training objectives will be met through a
comprehensive training plan involving 1) directed readings, 2) individual training and meetings, 3) coursework,
4) attendance at seminars, institutes, conferences, and meetings, and 5) a planned series of first-author
publications. Knowledge gained will be implemented in a 3-part research project through which Dr. McGoron
will develop, refine, and initially evaluate a two-part internet-based system called the “Parenting Young
Children Check-up” (PYCC). Level one of the PYCC will be a tablet-based initial check-up delivered during a
health care visit; designed to identify child disruptive behavior and motivate engagement in more in-depth
parent training. Level 2 of the PYCC is a tailored online parent training program adapting key evidence-based
parent training elements. Phase 1 (Years 1 and 2) research activities will focus on the initial development of
the PYCC using professional (12-20 participants) and parent (12-20 participants) qualitative data to guide
decisions; Phase 2 (Year 2) will initially examine the system in a proof of concept trial (N = 5-15); and in Phase
3 (Year 4), a pilot randomized clinical trial (N = 40) conducted in Family Medicine offices will compare an
intervention group that receives the initial check-up (level 1 of PYCC) to an assessment-only control condition
on use of the parent training website (level 2), elements consistent with the theory of planned behavior,
disruptive child behavior, and reported parenting. For the intervention group, satisfaction will also be examined.
These initial steps will lay the foundation for a system that has the potential to reduce the public health burden
of disruptive behavior disorders. The Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute at Wayne State University offers
numerous resources and experienced faculty relevant to career development focused on technology-based
parent training. An exceptionally strong external mentoring team and...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9895867
- **Project number:** 5K01MH110600-04
- **Recipient organization:** WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Kathleen (Lucy) McGoron
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $131,790
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-04-01 → 2021-10-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9895867

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9895867, Pediatric Motivational mHealth Parent Training for Child Disruptive Behaviors (5K01MH110600-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9895867. Licensed CC0.

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