Testing the feasibility and acceptability of the co-adapted Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions (EASE-SA) intervention among young adolescents showing symptoms of depression and anxiety and their caregivers in South African school settings

A non-randomized pre-post feasibility study to assess the Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions (EASE-SA) intervention for reducing depression and anxiety among adolescents and improving parenting skills among their caregivers in South African school settings

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN16803509

Enrollment

113

Registered

2024-12-12

Start date

2023-07-18

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2025-01-06

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Depression and anxiety Mental and Behavioural Disorders

Interventions

The feasibility and acceptability of the co-adapted EASE-SA intervention were assessed using a pre-post single-group design. This combined a non-randomized approach with an embedded mixed-methods rese

(2) informed consent/assent and recruitment

(3) EASE intervention initiated

and (4) 8-week and 3-month follow-up assessments. The EASE intervention is a World Health Organization group-based intervention for young adolescents aged 10 to 14 years who experience anxiety or dep

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Adolescents: 1. Aged between 10 and 14 years old 2. Screen at risk for depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire for Adolescents (PHQ-A) with a score of 10 or above 3. Screen at risk for anxiety using the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) screening tool with a score of 10 or above 4. Provide written assent to participate in the study and also have written informed consent from their caregivers. In this study, adolescents were permitted to participate even if their caregivers did not wish to participate, provided that consent from caregivers had been obtained for the adolescents’ participation. Caregivers: 1. Providing written informed consent for their own participation 2. Willing to attend the EASE-SA intervention

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. At high risk of suicide 2. Severely impaired 3. Unable to provide informed consent or assent 4. Individuals who demonstrated a high level of psychological distress were referred for mental health support and counselling through our partner organization’s referral pathways

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
The feasibility of study procedures and intervention delivery (assessed on predetermined progression criteria): 1. Facilitator competencies were measured using the Therapeutic Attributes and Competencies for Teen Groups in South Africa (TACT-SA) tool, adapted from the Group Facilitation Assessment of Competencies (GroupACT), rating the facilitator's competency during the intervention implementation 2. Acceptability of study procedures and intervention was assessed using the Child Evaluation Inventory (CEI) at the 3-month follow-up assessment	—

Measure

Time frame

The feasibility of study procedures and intervention delivery (assessed on predetermined progression criteria): 1. Facilitator competencies were measured using the Therapeutic Attributes and Competencies for Teen Groups in South Africa (TACT-SA) tool, adapted from the Group Facilitation Assessment of Competencies (GroupACT), rating the facilitator's competency during the intervention implementation 2. Acceptability of study procedures and intervention was assessed using the Child Evaluation Inventory (CEI) at the 3-month follow-up assessment

—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Depression measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire for Adolescents (PHQ-A) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), for caregivers at baseline, 8-week and 3-month follow-up 2. Anxiety measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screen 7(GAD-7), at baseline, 8-week and 3-month follow-up. 3. Emotional regulation measured using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale -16 item version (DERS-16) for adolescents at baseline, 8-week and 3-month follow-up 4. Emotional regulation measured using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale item version (DERS-30) for caregivers at baseline, 8-week and 3-month follow-up	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Depression measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire for Adolescents (PHQ-A) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), for caregivers at baseline, 8-week and 3-month follow-up 2. Anxiety measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screen 7(GAD-7), at baseline, 8-week and 3-month follow-up. 3. Emotional regulation measured using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale -16 item version (DERS-16) for adolescents at baseline, 8-week and 3-month follow-up 4. Emotional regulation measured using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale item version (DERS-30) for caregivers at baseline, 8-week and 3-month follow-up

—

Countries

South Africa

Contacts

Public ContactMirriam Mkhize

mkhmir003@myuct.ac.za+27 (0)216506061

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026