Altitudes: A Digital Intervention to Support Caregivers

Purpose: The purpose of the present study is to investigate the feasibility, accessibility, and potential clinical benefits of implementing a moderated online social media platform with therapeutic content, Altitudes, to parents, caregivers, and supporters of young people with psychosis across the state of North Carolina, including in CSC programs, STEP programs, and other community services where caregivers or supporters of young persons experiencing psychosis receive care. Participants: Fifty parent or supporter participants from CSC clinics (OASIS, SHORE, Eagle, Encompass, AEGIS, and WeCare2), STEP programs, or community services will be recruited for Altitudes. Procedures (methods): All participants will be recruited over a 20-week to 28-week period at from the North Carolina's community services. Participants will engaged with the digital platform, known as Altitudes, for approximately 6 months. Site usage information as well as feedback about their experience will be collected from these participants through the Altitudes platform. Site usage information (e.g., number of posts/comments made on the site, the number and types of 'Journeys' or 'Tracks' \[psychoeducation and therapeutic content\] completed by participants, etc.) will be collected automatically through the Altitudes platform. Before being given access to Altitudes, a research coordinator, family peer support specialist, or moderator will provide instructions and guidance for using the site (i.e., Altitudes onboarding). Experiences, wellbeing, and support measures will be collected at baseline, mid-treatment (\~3 months) and post-treatment (\~6 months) for the Altitudes participants. As Altitudes involves psychoeducational and therapeutic content, this platform is considered an adjunct to care parents and supporters may be receiving. As such, Altitudes participants will not be compensated for their involvement in the platform. Site usage information will be collected automatically through the Altitudes site. However, Altitudes participants will be compensated for providing feedback about their experience with Altitudes as well as for completing other assessments. Finally, Altitudes will be monitored at least once daily by trained family peer support specialists, master's or Ph.D. level clinicians, and/or graduate students with relevant clinical/research experience with individuals experiencing psychosis and their supporters. Dr. Emily Parsons, trained clinical psychologist and family therapist, will lead bi-weekly supervision calls to ensure appropriate care and support of Altitudes participants involved in this project, to discuss case conceptualization and suggestions for engaging individuals in the platform, as well as to monitor any potential safety concerns.