None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The transition to adulthood can be a vulnerable period for emerging adults who have a parent with mental illness or substance use concern. Compared to their same aged peers, this group of youth face increased risks to their own mental health and commonly do not engage with traditional face-to-face health services or have access to age-appropriate, targeted interventions. Increased engagement may result through providing an online intervention. This controlled trial examines the utility of mi.spot (mental illness: supportive, preventative, online, targeted) online intervention for emerging adults aged 18 to 25 years who have a parent with a mental illness or substance use concern. The research will investigate the impact of the mi. spot intervention on the mental health and wellbeing of an intervention group compared to a control group waiting to participate in the intervention. The two groups will be compared pre, post and 6 weeks follow-up after the intervention period.
Interventions
Mi.spot is a moderated online intervention for groups of up to 20 emerging adults (18-25 year olds) whose parent has a mental illness/substance use concern. The six week intervention is hosted on a standalone website and access to the intervention is password protected. It is based on cognitive behavioural principles, and is strength based and trauma informed. The features of the intervention are:
• a forum for youth to interact with peers - participants have the opportunity to chat to each oth
Mi.spot is a moderated online intervention for groups of up to 20 emerging adults (18-25 year olds) whose parent has a mental illness/substance use concern. The six week intervention is hosted on a standalone website and access to the intervention is password protected. It is based on cognitive behavioural principles, and is strength based and trauma informed. The features of the intervention are: • a forum for youth to interact with peers - participants have the opportunity to chat to each other on group threads which are moderated by a facilitator on the mi.spot website . • six, one hour facilitated sessions about (i) emotional regulation (ii) psycho-education, (iii) managing relationships, (iv), emotion and problem focused coping, (v) caring for others and (vi) resilience with accompanying video, audio, print resources. These will be delivered at designated times during the week and are initiated, managed and moderated by the facilitators through online conversations. Sessions are built around evidence-based literature, and all source materials are referenced in the mispot manual. • opportunities for one-to-one counselling chats with a professional – these can be initiated by either the participant or by one of the facilitators if they believe the participant requires additional support. Number and duration will be determined by participants and facilitators in collaboration. • private, online diary (mi.thoughts.spot) to encourage participants to apply a cognitive behavioural approach with the support of a facilitator (provided asynchronously) All features of the website are optional (i.e. there is no mandated requirement for frequency of use) and participants may choose to “lurk” rather than actively contribute. The intervention will be delivered from the Krongold Clinic, a university based, teaching and research clinic in Australia. Masters level psychology students will deliver the intervention, under the supervision of the intervention developers. Conduct of the trial will be led by a local principal investigator, supported by a research team, all of whom will received training in the requirements of the study protocol. Intervention facilitators are trained in the intervention by completing 2 days of face to face training using simulated online scenarios. Training is undertaken approximately 2 weeks prior to the intervention commencing and is facilitated by two experienced practitioners.
Sponsors
Monash University
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 25 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
18-25 years of age inclusive Volunteers responding to social media, referral or word of mouth. Not currently in distress or crisis, as ascertained by telephone interview. Has a parent with a mental illness or substance use concern (they do not have to be currently living with them) - based on self report Capable of giving informed consent as identified by phone interview
Exclusion criteria
Non-English speaking Non-Australian resident Currently in distress or experiencing a crisis No access to the internet, computer, tablet or mobile telephone
Outcome results
None listed