None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Media Smart (MS) is an 8-lesson school-based program that was developed by Dr Wilksch and Prof Wade and has been evaluated in a systematic program of research with over 2,000 participants. MS is now considered the leading ED risk reduction program worldwide for school-based, universal settings (i.e., given to all students regardless of risk status rather than selecting those at high-risk of an ED). However, many schools find 8 lessons difficult to timetable within the busy school program and given competing demands. Therefore the overall aim is to conduct an RCT to assess the efficacy of MS when it is delivered in shortened formats, namely a 2- and 4-lesson version, compared to the full 8-lesson program. The study design will include school class randomisation to: MS–2 lessons (MS-2); MS–4 lessons (MS-4); the full 8-lesson MS program (MS-8) and control group (normal school lessons with provision of a 1-page tip sheet on improving body image). Consistent with previous RCTs, MS will be delivered by trainee psychologists who will receive 5-hours of training in the program. Students will complete measures at baseline, post-program, 6- and 12-month follow-up. Measures will assess disordered eating and ED risk factors. This research is important in assisting with dissemination of the program given greater uptake is likely with a shorter curriculum. The rationale is not to replace MS-8 but to provide schools with informed, evidence-based alternatives for shorter versions that can better fit into the school program.
Interventions
Media Smart (MS) is a school-based program for girls and boys in Grade 7 and 8. The full program is 8 X 50 minute lessons. Given the constraints on school lesson time, this trial will evaluate how a 2- and 4- lesson version compares to the 8-lesson version that has been evaluated in previous research. The lessons will be taught by postgraduate psychology students, under the supervision of Dr Wilksch.
The standard 8-lesson version runs for a total of 400 minutes (2 X 50 minute lessons per w
Media Smart (MS) is a school-based program for girls and boys in Grade 7 and 8. The full program is 8 X 50 minute lessons. Given the constraints on school lesson time, this trial will evaluate how a 2- and 4- lesson version compares to the 8-lesson version that has been evaluated in previous research. The lessons will be taught by postgraduate psychology students, under the supervision of Dr Wilksch. The standard 8-lesson version runs for a total of 400 minutes (2 X 50 minute lessons per week for 4 weeks). The 4-lesson version runs for a total of 200 minutes (2 X 50 minute lessons for 2 weeks). The 2-lesson version runs for a total of 100 minutes (2 X 50 minute lessons in 1 week). The program includes interactive lesson content such as small group work, class discussions and watching of educational videos and PowerPoint presentations (made especially for the program). Students learn to question some of the messages they see in both traditional media (print, TV) and social media through interactive activities that educate about airbrushing and other techniques of image manipulation, stereotypes, peer pressure and identifying personal values. Adherence will be monitored through class attendance logs. Within each school all 4 conditions will be represented (i.e.., MS-8 lessons, MS-4 lessons, MS-2 lessons, and controls). This will be done by all classes in one year level (e.g., Year 7 in School A) being allocated to the respective intervention conditions and all classes in the other year level (Year 8 in school A) being allocated to controls. In school B, this process is reversed (i.e., Year 8 is the intervention year level and Year 7 is the control year level). This randomisation will be completed using computer software.
Sponsors
Flinders University
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Prevention
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
12 Years to 14 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Any student in Grade 7 or 8 in participating schools will be eligible to participate. Up to 10 schools will be invited to participate based on previous participation in similar school-based research or having expressed an interest to the research group for assistance with body image education.
Exclusion criteria
All students in the relevant grades of participating schools (Grade 7 or 8) will be eligible to participate. No exclusion criteria exists beyond the student or parent not providing consent.
Outcome results
None listed