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Trials
Published in: Trials 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Anxiety | Study protocol

The Back2School modular cognitive behavioral intervention for youths with problematic school absenteeism: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Authors: Mikael Thastum, Daniel Bach Johnsen, Wendy K. Silverman, Pia Jeppesen, David A. Heyne, Johanne Jeppesen Lomholt

Published in: Trials | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

Background

School absenteeism (SA) is associated with anxiety, depression, and disruptive behavior. It is a risk factor for academic difficulties and school dropout, which predict problems in adulthood such as social, work-related, and health problems. The main goal of this study is to examine the initial effectiveness of a modular transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention (Back2School) for increasing school attendance and decreasing psychological problems, relative to a comparator control arm (treatment as usual [TAU]).

Methods/design

One hundred sixty children, aged 7 to 16 years, will be randomly assigned to either Back2School or TAU. The design is a two (Back2School and TAU) by four (preassessment [T1], postassessment [T2], and 3-month [T3] and 1-year [T4] assessments) mixed between-within design. The primary outcome is school attendance based on daily registration. Secondary outcomes pertain to youth psychosocial functioning, quality of life, bullying, self-efficacy, and teacher-parent collaboration. These secondary outcomes are measured via youth, parent, and teacher reports.

Discussion

This study will provide critically needed empirical evidence on the initial effectiveness of a manualized treatment program for youth with SA. If the intervention is found to be effective, the program can be further implemented and tested in a larger school health effectiveness trial.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03459677. Retrospectively registered on 9 March 2018.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
The Back2School modular cognitive behavioral intervention for youths with problematic school absenteeism: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors
Mikael Thastum
Daniel Bach Johnsen
Wendy K. Silverman
Pia Jeppesen
David A. Heyne
Johanne Jeppesen Lomholt
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
BioMed Central
Keyword
Anxiety
Published in
Trials / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1745-6215
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-018-3124-3

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