Recruiting

Testing a Step-by-Step Approach to Help Children with Anger and Behavior Problems

Plain-English translation of NCT06902649 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated March 2026 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

This study is testing a 'stepped care' approach to help children and teens (ages 8–16) who struggle with anger, defiant behavior, or aggression. Everyone starts with a 5-week online parenting support program, and then families get additional help based on what they need most—either specialized parent coaching, a skills-building program for the child using virtual reality role-plays, or continued support through their regular clinic.

Children with serious behavior problems early in life often continue to struggle throughout their teenage years and into adulthood, affecting their friendships, school performance, and mental health. While parenting support programs are helpful, they don't work for everyone, and many families can't attend group sessions. This trial exists to find a better way to deliver help that fits each family's needs and keeps people engaged in treatment.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

your child is between 8 and 16 years old
your child has significant difficulty controlling anger or shows defiant or aggressive behavior (meeting at least 3 symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder or 2 symptoms of conduct disorder related to aggression)
you and your child are able to read and understand Swedish
your child's current medications (if any) are stable and not expected to change during the study

You likely don't qualify if…

your child is younger than 8 or already 17 years old
your child has severe depression, suicidal thoughts, bipolar disorder, psychosis, an eating disorder, severe autism, intellectual disability, or is involved in ongoing criminal behavior
your child is already receiving psychological treatment for behavior problems elsewhere
your child or you have epilepsy or migraines
your child does not meet the behavioral criteria for the study

What participation looks like

All families begin with 5 weeks of online parenting support you can do from home. After that, based on your child's progress and needs, your family will receive one of three options: individual parent coaching sessions (6–10 weekly sessions), a skills-building program for your child with weekly sessions and virtual reality practice (up to 10 sessions), or continued online support plus whatever help is available through your regular clinic. Sessions are face-to-face and take place at a clinic, and the study runs for several months.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 5, 2026 · Not medical advice

Testing a Step-by-Step Approach to Help Children with Anger and Behavior Problems

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(1 site)