A Trial of an Online Problem-solving Intervention for Aggression

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Aggression
• Interventions: Behavioral: Problem-solving

• Registration Number: NCT04130360
• Lead Sponsor: University of Sheffield

Brief Summary

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.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2019-10
• Study First Submitted: 2019-10-16
• Study First Submitted QC: 2019-10-16
• Study First Posted: 2019-10-17
• Study Start: 2019-10-25
• Primary Completion: 2020-03-30
• Study Completion: 2020-03-30
• Last Update Submitted: 2020-11-19
• Last Update Posted: 2020-11-20

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 908

Inclusion Criteria

• Living in the UK
• Fluent in English

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Problem-solving	Problem-solving	-

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Aggression (frequency)	1 month	Physical and relational aggression questionnaire. Each item is responded from 1 (never) to 5 (5 or more times), with higher scores meaning higher aggression.
Aggression (trait)	1 month	Aggression Questionnaire (AQ): Physical Aggression, Verbal Aggression, Hostility, Anger. Each item is responded from 1 (extrememly uncharacteristic of me) to 5 (extremely characteristic of me), with higher scores meaning higher aggression.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Problem-solving self-efficacy	1 month	Problem Solving Self-Efficacy (PSI-PSSE). Each item is responded from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree), with higher scores meaning higher problem-solving self-efficacy.
Problem-solving skills	1 month	Problem Solving Skills (PSI-PSS). Each item is responded from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree), with higher scores meaning higher problem-solving skills.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Sheffield; 🇬🇧 Sheffield, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom