A Randomized Controlled Trial of an Online Problem-solving Intervention to Reduce Aggression Among Youth

Aggressive behaviour among adolescents is a social problem that can be reduced by social problem-solving interventions. However, these interventions usually include more than one technique, and the specific techniques that are effective in reducing and preventing aggression remain to be identified. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to test whether the instruction and practice of problem-solving on their own are effective in changing aggressive behaviour among adolescents.

As the intervention in this trial is aimed at the general population, it will be delivered online. The rapid growth in the use of the Internet among young people provides an opportunity to deliver interventions universally in a cheap and efficient way.

Problem-solving skills are fundamental to effective behaviour change. Therefore, problem-solving skills will be measured to assess whether they mediate the effect of the intervention on aggressive behaviour.

Finally, young people with callous-unemotional traits are less likely to change their problematic behaviour such as aggression after an intervention. Therefore, Callous-Unemotional traits will be measured to assess if they act as a moderator of effectiveness.

It is expected that participants randomised to the intervention improve their problem-solving skills and consequentially, reduce their aggressive behaviours. In addition, participants with lower callous-unemotional traits are expected to have a greater change.