Evaluating the Impact of a School Wellbeing Programme on Internalising Problems in Primary School Children
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Sponsor
- University College Dublin
- Enrollment
- 400
- Locations
- 2
- Primary Endpoint
- Symptoms of anxiety and low mood measured by the Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale Short Form
Study Overview
Brief Summary
The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a school-based multi-component universal programme for the reduction of internalising problems (i.e. anxiety and low mood) in primary school pupils.
Detailed Description
Childhood and adolescence are important developmental phases for wellbeing and mental health. School has been noted in psychological literature to be a favourable environment for mental health initiatives, such as school-based programmes. Universal programmes are programmes delivered to all pupils irrespective of perceived need and have several advantages, including having a wide reach, avoiding the need for screening and are less stigmatising.
A Lust for Life is a universal school-based multi-component intervention whose target is to build well-being and emotional resilience in children. The programme was informed by evidence-based psychological approaches including cognitive behaviour therapy, positive psychology and mindfulness and consists of six lessons, each delivered by the pupils' school teacher on a weekly basis. The lessons involve classroom discussions, videos, classroom activities and homework assignments.
Study participants will complete the Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale Short Format, Coping strategy indicator and Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children pre-intervention. Following this, schools randomly assigned to the experimental group will receive A Lust for Life, while those randomly assigned to the control group will be placed on a sixteen-week waiting list. The questionnaire measures and a Brief Satisfaction Scale will be completed by participants at post-intervention. In addition, a six-week follow-up assessment will determine whether the effects of the programme are sustained over a period of time. The programme will be delivered in the waiting list control group schools after the six-week follow-up assessment.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- None
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 10 Years to 18 Years (Child, Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •Enrolled in primary school in Ireland
- •Obtain written informed consent from parents/guardians
- •Provide written assent
Exclusion Criteria
- •Failure to meet inclusion criteria
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Symptoms of anxiety and low mood measured by the Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale Short Form
Time Frame: 16 weeks
25-item self-report measure of anxiety and depression symptoms of individuals aged 8-18 years.
Secondary Outcomes
- Coping skills as measured by the Coping Strategy Indicator(16 weeks)
- Self-efficacy as measured by the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children(16 weeks)