Moderate to abnormal levels of psychological distress Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Conditions
Interventions
Following baseline assessment eligible participants will be randomised to either counselling now or to a waiting list, to be offered counselling in 9 months. A blocked, permuted, randomisation procedu
Sponsors
Metanoia Institute
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: 1. Young people will be in years 7,8,9,10 or 12 2. Experiencing moderate or abnormally high levels of emotional distress, as indicated by a score of 5 or above on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) emotional symptoms subscale at assessment 3. Motivated to attend counselling, as indicated during assessment 4. Capable of consenting to participate in research, as indicated by the pastoral care team prior to assessment 5. Good attendance record, greater than 85% attendance at school as indicated by the pastoral care team prior to assessment.
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. At risk of significant harm to self or other, as indicated by the pastoral care team 2. Involved with other child and young people's mental health agencies, as indicated by the pastoral care team and/ or the young person at assessment 3. Planning/likely to move school during the period of the study, as indicated by the pastoral care team and/ or young person at assessment 4. In year 11 or 13
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Psychological distress is measured using the Young persons CORE (YP-CORE) at baseline, 6 and 9 months | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), Goal Based Outcome Measure (GBOM), Rosenbergs Self-Esteem Inventory (RSEI) at baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6 and 9 months 2. Helpful/unhelpful aspects of counselling will be assessed by qualitative interviews (adapted change Interview) at baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6 and 9 months 3. The impact of counselling on young people and the school will be assessed through in-depth interviews with a sample of teaching staff at 9 months 4. Behavioural impact will be assessed through rates of attendance, exclusion, detentions and disciplinary proceedings and educational outcomes through achievement and attainment projections at 9 months 5. Cost analysis will be assessed by an adapted Client Service Receipt Inventory (CSRI) completed at baseline, 6 weeks and 3, 6 and 9 months. Public sector support package costs will be derived from CSRI data on use of services for which unit costs will be sought from publicly available sources. Cost and outcome data will be compared using the YP-CORE and GBOM. | — |
Countries
England, United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed