Multiple psychosocial problems within the family Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Conditions
Interventions
Families meeting eligibility criteria are randomised to the following two conditions.
1. The Nurturing Families program. This is a family systemic psychosocial intervention based on empirically-suppo
communication skills
emotion regulation skills
problem management skills
solving disagreements
accessing social support. Following this, families participate in optional advanced modules, dependent on their needs and preferences. Each advanced module is between 1-4 sessions and covers conflict
Sponsors
War Child
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Families must meet the following criteria: 1. Speak Arabic 2. Have a child aged 10-17 years 3. Have two or more psychosocial problems causing significant impact, from: adolescent distress, caregiver distress, parenting challenges, family relationship challenges 4. All caregivers provide consent for the family to take part, and at least one child assents to taking part 5. Families of any nationality will be able to take part, but in line with the research questions relating to Iraqi, Jordanian, and Syrian families, the researchers will aim to achieve a mixed sample representing each of these nationalities equally 6. Families of any composition (i.e. single-headed, dual-headed, mixed-generations) will be included, provided there is a legal guardian able to provide consent and take part in the programme and study
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. Families where there are safety concerns around whole-family sessions will not be included 2. Participants will not be included if they have severe psychiatric disturbance or risks requiring specialist mental health or protection services (assessed by a psychologist), or if they do not consent/assent. Cases requiring specialised services will not be invited to participate because of the level of vulnerability, potential issues of capacity, and because the family intervention is unlikely to be pitched at the right level for their needs. 3. Family members with a significant disability that impacts participation in the programme or assessments (that cannot be overcome with reasonable adjustments) will not be included, and participants will instead be referred to other available services that are able to meet their needs 4. Unaccompanied minors, and children who are married, will not be included in the study, due to challenges with the legal consent of guardians 5. Families engaged in case management at the time of outreach, will not be included. This is because those in case management are likely to be receiving sufficient other services
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. Adolescent- and caregiver-reported family functioning assessed using the SCORE at baseline and endline 2. Caregiver psychological distress assessed using the Kessler 10 at baseline and endline 3. Positive parenting assessed using a tool developed by War Child Holland at baseline and endline | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Measured at baseline and endline: 1. Caregiver-reported adolescent symptoms assessed using the Pediatric Symptom Checklist 35 2. Adolescent-reported symptoms assessed using the Pediatric Symptom Checklist 17 3. Adolescent wellbeing assessed using the Kid-KINDL 4. Caregiver emotion regulation assessed using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale 5. Impact of self-defined problems assessed using the PSYCHLOPS Measures are collected from each consenting caregiver and each consenting adolescent aged 10-17 years. Where there are multiple adolescents, the caregiver completes the PSC-35 for each. As this is a pilot feasibility study, the researchers also collect measures on: 1. Attendance at sessions measured using attendance logs at each session during intervention delivery 2. Fidelity of implementation of the intervention measured using a structured checklist during intervention delivery 3. Facilitator competency of implementation of the intervention measured using a structured checklist during intervention delivery 4. Masking of research assistants measured using a structured questionnaire completed by assessors at endline 5. Spill-over effects between intervention and control groups measured using structured interview questions asked to families at endline 6. Number and nature of adverse events measured using adverse event notification forms submitted by study staff during conduct of the study | — |
Countries
Jordan
Outcome results
None listed