PARADOx: A Randomized Controlled Trial Examining Short- and Long-Term, Family-Specific, and Side Effects of a Digital Parenting Intervention

Few digital parenting interventions for preventing adolescent mental health problems exist and little is known about their effectiveness. This preregistered Randomized Controlled Trial examined short-term (1 month post-intervention) and longer-term (6 months) effects, side-effects, and family-specific effects of a novel digital parenting intervention. Dutch adolescents (N = 547, 53% female, Mage = 14.1) and one of their parents (N = 541; 81% mothers, Mage = 46.7) were assigned to a control or intervention group. The intervention group received a parenting feedback report and 18 parenting tips across six weeks, in the second half of a 100-day diary study. No explicit intervention effects were identified, but no harmful side-effects were identified either. At 6-month follow-up, parent- and adolescent-reported overprotection decreased and longer-term adolescent well-being improved. Furthermore, improvements in overprotection and adolescent well-being were correlated and changes in overparenting were generally stronger when parents were exposed to more tips, tentatively suggesting a benefit of 100 days of journaling. The trial was retrospectively registered (CCMO; registration NL-009451) on 19-02-2025.