Recovery Learning for Adolescents After Traumatic Experiences
- Conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
- Interventions
- Behavioral: Care as usualBehavioral: Teaching Recovery Techniques
- Registration Number
- NCT04467320
- Lead Sponsor
- University of Bath
- Brief Summary
Most children who have been removed from their family home and placed under the care of a Local Authority have been exposed to many frightening experiences, including witnessing violence, not being fed or cared for, or being abused. These experiences can lead to significant emotional difficulties. One such difficulty is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can involve symptoms like having constant "flashbacks" of scary experiences, and a constant feeling of being in danger. This can have a big effect on children's lives. Yet, it is still not clear how to help young people in care who are experiencing high PTSD symptoms.
One idea the researchers have is to use a group-based online programme which has successfully helped other young people who have been exposed to different kinds of stressful experiences (for example, war). To test whether this programme could help children in care too, the researchers first need to see whether social workers have the time to check in with a child about PTSD symptoms; whether young people and their carers are willing to be involved in a research project which will test out the treatment programme; and whether mental health workers might face any problems when delivering the programme. This project aims to answer these questions.
The researchers will train social workers to complete an 8-question interview with 10-17 year olds in care, which will measure symptoms of PTSD. If the young person is experiencing high symptoms, they will be invited to take part in a research project. If they would like to join the project, children will be randomly selected to take part in the online group programme, or be given care-as-usual. The group programme involves the young person taking part in five weekly meetings held online, where they will learn skills to reduce their distress, and be supported to work through their difficult memories. Their carers will also take part in two online meetings which will teach them how to support their young person.
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- UNKNOWN
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 50
- Experiencing elevated PTSS (using a standard cut-off score of =/> 17 on the 8-item Child Revised Impact of Events Scale; CRIES-8).
- Living in any care residence (with the exception of those living with a biological parent).
- Access to appropriate technology to engage in the online sessions and can do so in a quiet and private space.
- A diagnosis of psychosis.
- Current and active serious suicidal ideations.
- A moderate to severe learning disability.
- Currently receiving direct therapeutic mental health support.
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Care-As-Usual Group Care as usual Receiving care-as-usual. Intervention Group Teaching Recovery Techniques Receiving the Teaching Recovery Techniques intervention (delivered online).
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen (CATS) 6 months Self-report DSM-5 post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom measure. Scores range from 0-60, with greater scores indicating greater symptom severity.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ) 6 months Self-report and carer-report depression questionnaire. Scores range from 0-26, with higher scores indicating more depressive symptoms.
Child Health Utility 9D (CHU9D) 6 months Self-report measure of health-related quality of life. Scores range from 9-45, with higher scores indicating greater difficulties.
Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen (carer report) 6 months Carer-report young person PTSD symptom scale. Symptom scores range from 0-60, with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity.
Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS-5) Interview Schedule 6 months DSM-5 PTSD diagnostic interview. Symptoms range from 0-80, with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity.
Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA) 6 months Self-report measure of young person's perception of their relationship with their carer. Scores range from 28-140, with lower scores indicating greater relationship difficulties.
Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) 6 months Self-report and carer-report measure of internalising and externalising difficulties. There are 5 subscales each with scores ranging from 0-10. The total difficulties score is calculated by summing 4 of the sub-scales to give a score between 0-40. The greater the total score, the greater the difficulties experienced.
Parent Trauma Response Questionnaire - support style subscale (PTRQ) 6 months Carer-report measure of their support style. Scores range from 0-30, with higher scores indicating greater difficulties.
Child Revised Impact of Events Scale (CRIES-8) 6 months Self-report post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom screening tool. Symptom scores range from 0-40, with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity.
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
University of Bath
🇬🇧Bath, United Kingdom