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The Effectiveness of Blended Forensic Ambulant Systemic Therapy

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Antisocial Behavior
Behavioral Disorder
Conduct Disorder
Interventions
Behavioral: FASTr
Behavioral: FASTb
Registration Number
NCT05606978
Lead Sponsor
Utrecht University
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether blended Forensic Ambulant Systemic Therapy (FASTb) is equally effective as regular FAST (FASTr).

Detailed Description

Forensic Ambulant Systemic Therapy (FAST) is a promising treatment for juveniles aged 12-21 showing antisocial behavior and conduct disorders. Next to regular FAST (FASTr), a blended version was developed (FASTb), in which face-to-face contact is replaced by minimally 50% online contact over the duration of intervention, consisting of video-calls and eHealth modules. The primary aim of the current study is to investigate whether FASTb is equally effective as FASTr. All clients (and their caregivers) who meet the inclusion and eligibility criteria and who signed informed consent will be assigned to either the FASTr or FASTb condition. Randomization will be done on the family level and will not depend on therapist or treatment site.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
200
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
FASTrFASTrParticipants receive FAST regular (FASTr): face-to-face therapy
FASTbFASTbParticipants receive FAST blended (FASTb): a combination of face-to-face and online therapy
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Aggression and Delinquency assessed by the Youth Self Report (YSR)T1 (baseline); monthly during intervention, up to 9 months; T2 (post-intervention) up to 9 months; T3 (follow-up) 6 months post intervention

The YSR is a self-reported instrument. The Externalizing scale contains 30 items assessing aggression and delinquency. Possible scores range from 0 (never) to 2 (often). For the monthly assessment, a shortened version of the YSR Externalizing scale will be administered.

Percentage of Participants with Out of Home Placement assessed using File AnalysisT1 (baseline); T2 (post-intervention) up to 9 months

A participant is viewed as being placed out of home when they do not reside with their primary family, either temporarily or permanently, and either voluntarily or involuntarily. Out of home placement is registered by therapists during treatment as part of the standard FAST procedure.

Change in Delinquency assessed with the Self-Report Delinquent Behavior (ZDG)T1 (baseline); monthly during intervention, up to 9 months; T2 (post-intervention) up to 9 months; T3 (follow-up) 6 months post intervention

The Self-report Delinquent Behavior \[Zelfrapportage Delinquent Gedrag; ZDG\] is a self-reported instrument, assessing how many times the juvenile has done certain (rule-breaking) things in the past year. The ZDG contains 30 items. For the monthly assessment, a shortened version of the ZDG will be administered.

Percentage of Participants with Out of Home Placement assessed using an Out of Home Placement QuestionnaireT2 (post-intervention) up to 9 months; T3 (follow-up) 6 months post intervention

A participant is viewed as being placed out of home when they do not reside with their primary family, either temporarily or permanently, and either voluntarily or involuntarily. Out of home placement will be assessed using a questionnaire measuring living situation, which is filled in by juveniles and caregivers. The questionnaire contains one item assessing where the juvenile lives most days of the week.

Change in Aggression and Delinquency assessed with the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)T1 (baseline); monthly during intervention, up to 9 months; T2 (post-intervention) up to 9 months; T3 (follow-up) 6 months post intervention

The CBCL is a caregiver-reported instrument. The Externalizing scale contains 36 items assessing aggression and delinquency. Possible scores range from 0 (never) to 2 (often). For the monthly assessment, a shortened version of the CBCL Externalizing scale will be administered.

Change in Recidivism Risk assessed with the RAF GGZ YouthT1 (baseline); T2 (post-intervention) up to 9 months

The RAF GGZ Youth is an extensive risk assessment instrument and includes items measuring recidivism risk. The RAF GGZ Youth is filled in by the therapist as part of the standard FAST procedure. Possible scores range from 1 (low) to 5 (high).

Percentage of Participants having RecidivatedT4 (two years post-intervention)

Recidivism is defined as a conviction, which is coded from official judicial records.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Internalizing Problems assessed with the Youth Self Report (YSR)T1 (baseline); T2 (post-intervention) up to 9 months; T3 (follow-up) 6 months post intervention

The YSR is a self-reported instrument. The Internalizing scale contains 31 items, with possible scores ranging from 0 (never) to 2 (often).

Change in Internalizing Problems assessed with the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)T1 (baseline); T2 (post-intervention) up to 9 months; T3 (follow-up) 6 months post intervention

The CBCL is a caregiver-reported instrument. The Internalizing scale contains 32 items, with possible scores ranging from 0 (never) to 2 (often).

Change in Substance Use assessed with the RAF GGZ YouthT1 (baseline); T2 (post-intervention) up to 9 months

The RAF GGZ Youth is an extensive risk assessment instrument and includes items measuring substance use. The RAF GGZ Youth is filled in by the therapist as part of the standard FAST procedure.

Change in Substance Use assessed with the Monitoring Station Substance UseT1 (baseline); T2 (post-intervention) up to 9 months; T3 (follow-up) 6 months post intervention

Monitoring Station Substance Use \[Peilstation Middelengebruik\] is a self-reported instrument. It contains five items assessing frequency and intensity of substance use.

Change in Substance Use assessed with the FAST Goal ListsT1 (baseline); T2 (post-intervention) up to 9 months

The FAST Goals Lists are filled in by juveniles, caregivers, and therapists as part of the standard FAST-procedure, and assess the achievement of FAST goals in the past two months. The list includes 1 item on change in substance use. Possible scores range from 1 (not true at all) to 10 (absolutely true).

Change in Contact with Deviant Peers assessed with the Basic Questionnaire Peers (BVL)T1 (baseline); T2 (post-intervention) up to 9 months; T3 (follow-up) 6 months post intervention

The Basic Questionnaire Peers \[Basisvragenlijst Leeftijdsgenoten; BVL\] is a self-reported instrument with 13 items. Possible scores differ per question, for instance measuring amount of friends, or 0 (never) to 4 (5 times or more).

Change in Contact with Deviant Peers assessed with the Family, Friends, & Self Scale (FFSS)T1 (baseline); T2 (post-intervention) up to 9 months; T3 (follow-up) 6 months post intervention

The FFSS is a self-reported instrument and contains 16 items. Possible scores range from 1 (none) to 5 (almost all of them).

Change in Client Formulated Goals assessed by the FAST Goal ListsT1 (baseline); T2 (post-intervention) up to 9 months

The FAST goal lists are filled in by juveniles, caregivers, and therapists as part of the standard FAST-procedure, and assess the achievement of FAST goals in the past two months. Possible scores range from 1 (not true at all) to 10 (absolutely true).

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

de Waag

🇳🇱

Utrecht, Netherlands

Utrecht University

🇳🇱

Utrecht, Netherlands

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