Interpersonal counselling for adolescent depression delivered by youth mental health workers without core professional training: A feasibility randomised controlled trial study protocol

Abotsie, Gabriel ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0597-2509, Cestaro, Viktoria, Gee, Brioney, Murdoch, Jamie, Katangwe, Thando, Meiser-Stedman, Richard ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0262-623X, Shepstone, Lee, Turner, David ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1689-4147, Tulk, Susie, Jarrett, Sharon, Wilson, Jon, Clarke, Timothy, Teague, Bonnie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3248-2257 and Wilkinson, Paul (2020) Interpersonal counselling for adolescent depression delivered by youth mental health workers without core professional training: A feasibility randomised controlled trial study protocol. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 6. ISSN 2055-5784

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Abstract

Background: Depression is a common health problem during adolescence and is associated with adverse academic, social and health outcomes. To meet the demand for treatment for adolescent depression, there is a need for evidence-based interventions suitable for delivery outside of specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Interpersonal Counselling for Adolescents (IPC-A) is a brief manualised intervention for adolescent depression suitable for delivery by staff who are not qualified health professionals following participation in a brief training course. While initial piloting within Local Authority services has generated promising results, the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of IPC-A has yet to be established. This study aims to assess the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial (RCT), evaluating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of IPC-A delivered by staff without core professional training in comparison to current provision. Method: Feasibility RCT with process evaluation using ethnographic methodology. Eligible young people (n = 60) will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to receive either IPC-A or treatment as usual (TAU). Participants will be assessed pre-randomisation (baseline) and followed up at 5, 10 and 23 weeks post-randomisation. A parallel process evaluation will generate understanding of intervention implementation across services and explore the acceptability of the intervention from the perspective of young people and other key stakeholders. Participants: Young people aged 12–18 years presenting to non-specialist services with symptoms of depression. Youth workers, young people and stakeholders will participate in the process evaluation. Discussion: The need for effective and accessible interventions for young people with mild/sub-threshold depression who, in most cases, do not meet the threshold for mainstream mental health services is long overdue. The primary output of this feasibility trial will be the design of the subsequent full-scale trial. If the results of the current study indicate that this would be feasible, we intend to progress to a multi-site, assessor-blind, superiority RCT of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of IPC-A in comparison to TAU for adolescents presenting to non-specialist services with depressive symptoms. If satisfactory solutions to any problems encountered cannot be identified, alternative research designs will be considered. If proven effective, an IPC-A training programme could be implemented. Trial registry: ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN82180413, Registered 31 December 2019.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: adolescents,depression,early help,interpersonal counselling,interpersonal counselling for adolescents, young people,local authority,youth workers,medicine (miscellaneous),sdg 3 - good health and well-being ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2700/2701
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Health Sciences
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Health Services and Primary Care
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Health Promotion
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Mental Health
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Public Health and Health Services Research (former - to 2023)
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Norwich Clinical Trials Unit
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Epidemiology and Public Health
Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Norwich Epidemiology Centre
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Norwich Epidemiology Centre
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Health Economics
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Population Health
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Lifespan Health
Related URLs:
Depositing User: LivePure Connector
Date Deposited: 17 Dec 2020 00:53
Last Modified: 19 Oct 2023 02:50
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/77986
DOI: 10.1186/s40814-020-00733-8

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