Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Study protocol

Study protocol: a randomised controlled trial of a telephone delivered social wellbeing and engaged living (SWEL) psychological intervention for disengaged youth

Authors: Helen J. Stain, Amanda L. Baker, Christopher Jackson, Rhoshel Lenroot, Georgie Paulik, John Attia, Luke Wolfenden, Stoyan R. Stoyanov, Holly Devir, Leanne Hides

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2019

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Internationally, from 12.2–23.4% of youth (aged 16–24 years) are not in employment, education or training (NEET). These disengaged youth are more likely to experience social exclusion, increased psychological distress and poor quality of life. Youth at risk of disengagement are less likely to access traditional support services, requiring development of innovative interventions.

Methods

The trial is a single blind, three arm, randomised controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of a telephone delivered psychological intervention for disengaged youth (12–25 years). Participants will be randomised to receive either (i) SWEL, (ii) Befriending, or (iii) Single Session Psycho-Education. Therapy will be over an 8 week period with a minimum of four and maximum of eight sessions for the SWEL or Befriending conditions, or a single session for the Psycho-Education condition. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and at 2, 8 and 14-month follow-up with the primary outcome being re-engagement in education, training or employment.

Discussion

This large, multi-site, randomised controlled trial will inform the delivery of services for young people at risk of disengaging from education or training. The provision of psychological therapy by telephone increases access by youth – especially those in rural and remote areas - both to the trial and the treatment, if adopted by services. The outcomes of this trial could have meaningful societal impact for a vulnerable population. It is expected that recruitment, intervention and retention will present challenges for the trial given the focus on disengaged youth.

Trial registration

ANZCTR, ACTRN12614001212​640, Registered 18 Nov 2014. Retrospectively registered.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval has been obtained from the participating institutions. Results of the trial will be submitted for publication in peer reviewed journals and findings presented at scientific conferences and to key service providers and policy makers.
Literature
1.
2.
Bynner J, Parsons S. Social exclusion and the transition from school to work: the case of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET). J Vocat Behav. 2002;60(2):289–309.CrossRef
3.
Mustard CA, Bielecky A, Etches J, Wilkins R, Tjepkema M, Amick BC, et al. Mortality following unemployment in Canada, 1991–2001. BMC Public Health. 2013;13(1):441.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
4.
International Labour Office. Global employment trends 2014: risk of a jobless recovery? Geneva: ILO; 2014.
5.
Baggio S, Iglesias K, Deline S, Studer J, Henchoz Y, Mohler-Kuo M, Gmel G. Not in education, employment, or training status among young Swiss men. Longitudinal associations with mental health and substance use. J Adolesc Health. 2015;56(2):238-43.
6.
Silburn SR, Blair E, Griffin JA, Zubrick SR, Lawrence DΜ, Mitrou FG, et al. Developmental and environmental factors supporting the health and well-being of aboriginal adolescents. Int J Adolesc Med Health. 2007;19(3):345–54.CrossRefPubMed
7.
Sawyer MG, Guidolin M, Schulz KL, McGinnes B, Zubrick SR, Baghurst PA. The mental health and wellbeing of adolescents on remand in Australia. Aust NZJ Psychiatry. 2010;44(6):551–9.
8.
Dingwall KM, Cairney S. Psychological and cognitive assessment of indigenous Australians. Aust NZJ Psychiatry. 2010;44(1):20–30.CrossRef
9.
Thomas A, Cairney S, Gunthorpe W, Paradies Y, Sayers S. Strong souls: development and validation of a culturally appropriate tool for assessment of social and emotional well-being in indigenous youth. Aust NZJ Psychiatry. 2010;44(1):40–8.CrossRef
10.
Goldman-Mellor S, Caspi A, Arseneault L, Ajala N, Ambler A, Danese A, et al. Committed to work but vulnerable: self-perceptions and mental health in NEET 18-year olds from a contemporary British cohort. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2016;57(2):196–203.CrossRefPubMed
11.
Veldman K, Reijneveld SA, Ortiz JA, Verhulst FC, Bültmann U. Mental health trajectories from childhood to young adulthood affect the educational and employment status of young adults: results from the TRAILS study. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2015;69(6):588–93.CrossRefPubMed
12.
Australian Government. National strategy for young Australians. Canberra: Australian Government; 2010.
13.
Caprara GV, Steca P, Gerbino M, Paciello M, Vecchio GM. Looking for adolescents’ well-being: self-efficacy beliefs as determinants of positive thinking and happiness. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci. 2006;15(1):30–43.CrossRef
14.
15.
Bandura A. Self-efficacy mechanism in human agency. Am Psychol. 1982;37(2):122–47.CrossRef
16.
Bandura A, Caprara GV, Barbaranelli C, Gerbino M, Pastorelli C. Role of affective self-regulatory efficacy in diverse spheres of psychosocial functioning. Child Dev. 2003;74(3):769–82.CrossRefPubMed
17.
Theunissen M-J, Bosma H, Verdonk P, Feron F. Why wait? Early determinants of school dropout in preventive pediatric primary care. PLoS One. 2015;10(11):e0142315.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
18.
Hides L, Samet S, Lubman DI. Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for the treatment of co-occurring depression and substance use: current evidence and directions for future research. Drug Alcohol Rev. 2010;29(5):508–17.CrossRefPubMed
19.
Rathod S, Phiri P, Kingdon D. Cognitive behavioral therapy for schizophrenia. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2010;33(3):527–36.CrossRefPubMed
20.
Griffiths KM, Farrer L, Christensen H. The efficacy of internet interventions for depression and anxiety disorders: a review of randomised controlled trials. Med J Aust. 2010;192(11):S4.PubMed
21.
Kaltenthaler E, Brazier J, De Nigris E, Tumur I, Ferriter M, Beverley C, et al. Computerised cognitive behaviour therapy for depression and anxiety update: a systematic review and economic evaluation. Health Technol Assess. 2006;10(33):1–168.CrossRef
22.
Spek V, Cuijpers P, Nyklíček I, Riper H, Keyzer J, Pop V. Internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy for symptoms of depression and anxiety: a meta-analysis. Psychol Med. 2007;37(3):319–28.CrossRefPubMed
23.
Stallard P, Richardson T, Velleman S. Clinicians’ attitudes towards the use of computerized cognitive behaviour therapy (cCBT) with children and adolescents. J Behav Cogn Psychother. 2010;38(5):545–60.CrossRef
24.
Bee PE, Bower P, Lovell K, Gilbody S, Richards D, Gask L, et al. Psychotherapy mediated by remote communication technologies: a meta-analytic review. BMC Psychiatry. 2008;8(1):60.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
25.
Turner C, Heyman I, Futh A, Lovell K. A pilot study of telephone cognitive-behavioural therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder in young people. J Behav Cogn Psychother. 2009;37(4):469–74.CrossRef
26.
Stain HJ, Payne K, Thienel R, Michie P, Carr V, Kelly B. The feasibility of videoconferencing for neuropsychological assessments of rural youth experiencing early psychosis. J Telemed Telecare. 2011;17(6):328–31.CrossRefPubMed
27.
Jackson H, McGorry P, Killackey E, Bendall S, Allott K, Dudgeon P, et al. Acute-phase and 1-year follow-up results of a randomized controlled trial of CBT versus befriending for first-episode psychosis: the ACE project. Psychol Med. 2008;38(5):725–35.CrossRefPubMed
28.
Sensky T, Turkington D, Kingdon D, Scott JL, Scott J, Siddle R, et al. A randomized controlled trial of cognitive-behavioral therapy for persistent symptoms in schizophrenia resistant to medication. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2000;57(2):165–72.CrossRefPubMed
29.
Allen T, Mehta P, Rutt S. Hidden talents: a statistical overview of the participation patterns of young people aged 16–24. Slough: National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER); 2012. p. 16–24.
30.
Boutron I, Moher D, Altman DG, Schulz KF, Ravaud P. Methods and processes of the CONSORT group: example of an extension for trials assessing nonpharmacologic treatments. Ann Intern Med. 2008;148(4):W60–6.CrossRefPubMed
31.
Degenhardt L, Hall W, Korten A, Jablensky A. Use of a brief screening instrument for psychosis: results of an ROC analysis. New South Wales: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC); 2005. p. 1–18.
32.
Sheehan DV, Lecrubier Y, Sheehan KH, Amorim P, Janavs J, Weiller E, et al. The mini-international neuropsychiatric interview (M.I.N.I.): the development and validation of a structured diagnostic psychiatric interview for DSM-IV and ICD-10. J Clin Psychiatry. 1998;59(Suppl 20):22–33.
33.
Wardenaar K, Wigman J, Lin A, Killackey E, Collip D, Wood S, et al. Development and validation of a new measure of everyday adolescent functioning: the multidimensional adolescent functioning scale. J Adolesc Health. 2013;52(2):195–200.CrossRefPubMed
34.
American Psychiatric Association. Task Force on D-I. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders IV text revision (DSM-IV-TR). Washington: American Psychiatric Association; 2000.
35.
Auther A, Smith C, Cornblatt B. Global functioning: social scale (GF: Social). Glen Oaks: Zucker-Hillside Hospital; 2006.
36.
Niendam T, Bearden C, Johnson J, Cannon T. Global functioning: role scale (GF: role). Los Angeles: University of California; 2006.
37.
Lehman AF, Ward NC, Linn LS. Chronic mental patients: the quality of life issue. Am J Psychiatry. 1982;139(10):1271–6.CrossRefPubMed
38.
Lamers S, Westerhof GJ, Bohlmeijer ET, Ten Klooster PM, Keyes CL. Evaluating the psychometric properties of the mental health continuum-short form (MHC-SF). J Clin Psychol. 2011;67(1):99–110.CrossRefPubMed
39.
Kessler RC, Barker PR, Colpe LJ, Epstein JF, Gfroeter JC, Hiripi E, et al. Screening for serious mental illness in the general population. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2003;60(2):184–9.CrossRefPubMed
40.
Slade T, Grove R, Burgess P. Kessler psychological distress scale: normative data from the 2007 Australian National Survey of mental health and wellbeing. Aust NZJ Psychiatry. 2011;45(4):308–16.CrossRef
41.
Smith BW, Dalen J, Wiggins K, Tooley E, Christopher P, Bernard J. The brief resilience scale: assessing the ability to bounce back. Int J Behav Med. 2008;15(3):194–200.CrossRefPubMed
42.
Phillips K, Power M. A new self-report measure of emotion regulation in adolescents: the regulation of emotions questionnaire. Clin Psychol Psychother. 2007;14(2):145–56.CrossRef
43.
WHO ASSIST Working Group. The alcohol, smoking and substance involvement screening test (ASSIST): development, reliability and feasibility. Addiction. 2002;97(9):1183–94.CrossRef
44.
Humeniuk R, Ali R, Babor TF, Farrell M, Formigoni ML, Jittiwutikarn J, et al. Validation of the alcohol, smoking and substance involvement screening test (ASSIST). Addiction. 2008;103(6):1039–47.CrossRefPubMed
45.
Di Giunta L, Eisenberg N, Kupfer A, Steca P, Tramontano C, Caprara GV. Assessing perceived empathic and social self-efficacy across countries. Eur J Psychol Assess. 2010;26(2):77–86.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
46.
Tomas JM, Oliver A. Rosenberg’s self-esteem scale: two factors or method effects. Struct Equ Modeling. 1999;6(1):84–98.CrossRef
47.
Bendall S, Killackey E, Jackson H, Gleeson J. Befriending manual. Melbourne: ORYGEN Research Centre, University of Melbourne; 2003.
48.
Stuntzner-Gibson D, Koren PE, DeChillo N. The youth satisfaction questionnaire: what kids think of services. Fam Soc. 1995;76(10):616.CrossRef
49.
Bendall S, Allott K, Jovev M, Marois M-J, Killackey EJ, Gleeson JF, et al. Therapy contamination as a measure of therapist treatment adherence in a trial of cognitive behaviour therapy versus befriending for psychosis. J Behav Cogn Psychother. 2015;43(3):314–27.CrossRef
50.
Rollinson R, Smith B, Steel C, Jolley S, Onwumere J, Garety PA, et al. Measuring adherence in CBT for psychosis: a psychometric analysis of an adherence scale. J Behav Cogn Psychother. 2008;36(2):163–78.CrossRef
51.
Perepletchikova F, Kazdin AE. Treatment integrity and therapeutic change: issues and research recommendations. Clin Psychol. 2005;12(4):365–83.
52.
Waltz J, Addis ME, Koerner K, Jacobson NS. Testing the integrity of a psychotherapy protocol: assessment of adherence and competence. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1993;61(4):620–30.CrossRefPubMed
53.
Nuro KF, Maccarelli L, Baker SM, Martino S, Rounsaville B, Carroll K. Yale adherence and competence scale (YACSII) guidelines. West Haven: Yale University Psychotherapy Development Centre; 2005. p. 161.
Metadata
Title
Study protocol: a randomised controlled trial of a telephone delivered social wellbeing and engaged living (SWEL) psychological intervention for disengaged youth
Authors
Helen J. Stain
Amanda L. Baker
Christopher Jackson
Rhoshel Lenroot
Georgie Paulik
John Attia
Luke Wolfenden
Stoyan R. Stoyanov
Holly Devir
Leanne Hides
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-019-2116-5

Other articles of this Issue 1/2019

BMC Psychiatry 1/2019 Go to the issue

Research article

Brain network alterations in individuals with and without mild cognitive impairment: parallel independent component analysis of AV1451 and AV45 positron emission tomography

Research article

Selective micro-structural integrity impairment of the isthmus subregion of the corpus callosum in alcohol-dependent males

Research article

Polypharmacy in a hospitalized psychiatric population: risk estimation and damage quantification

Research article

Antidepressant outcomes of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) with F8-coil and deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (DTMS) with H1-coil in major depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Research article

Validation of a case definition for depression in administrative data against primary chart data as a reference standard

Correction

Correction to: Skating on thin ice: pragmatic prescribing for medication refractory schizophrenia