The Flourishing Child: Study Protocol for an Acceptability and Feasibility Trial of a Digital Early Childhood Flourishing Intervention

BACKGROUND: Globally, rates of children with physical and mental health problems are increasing. Health issues in early childhood often persist into adulthood, highlighting the need to ensure children are supported to flourish from the start of life. OBJECTIVES: This protocol describes methods used to test the acceptability and feasibility of a novel digital Flourishing Intervention (designed to empower parents and promote child wellbeing), comprising a Flourishing Check (a newly developed online questionnaire) and a Pathway Tool (an online directory of high-quality, evidence-based programmes and resources). METHODS: Using a randomised feasibility trial, participants (N = 600 parents of children aged 0-5 years) will complete the Flourishing Check. The intervention group (n = 400) will access the Flourishing Check and Pathway Tool, whereas a waitlist control group (n = 200) will access the Flourishing Check only. RESULTS: The primary aim is to assess the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention through a mixed-methods design incorporating quantitative data from pre- and post-intervention questionnaires and qualitative data from focus groups. This will be assessed using a traffic light system, which will inform if and how to proceed to a future effectiveness trial. Secondary aims are to assess changes in parent and child outcomes. Primary outcomes will be assessed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Secondary outcomes will be analysed using mixed-effects regression models. CONCLUSIONS: We anticipate that the Flourishing Intervention will be feasible and acceptable to parents. This trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12626000187347).