Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial of the Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions Intervention for Highly Dependent Adult Children

Adults who do not work, pursue higher education, or live independently from their parents despite the absence of a diagnosed physical, neurodevelopmental, or intellectual disability are often referred to as having ‘failure to launch’ (FTL). This preliminary randomized controlled trial evaluated a new parent-based intervention for FTL: Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions for FTL (SPACE-FTL). Parents of adults with FTL were assigned to SPACE-FTL or a waitlist. Primary outcomes included feasibility, acceptability, treatment satisfaction, and the change in FTL status and symptoms. Secondary and exploratory assessments included parental burden, family accommodation, cost-of-illness, and the adult child’s anxiety and depression symptom severity. Trial completers’ satisfaction score was 28 (87.5% of the maximal score). Post-treatment, FTL was absent in 60% of cases; no change was noted in the waitlist. Symptom severity, parental burden, and family accommodation were significantly reduced. The study provides preliminary evidence that SPACE-FTL can address FTL.