The feelings club: Evaluating a school-based intervention for children at risk for depression and anxiety disorders

Evaluating a school-based intervention for children at risk for depression and anxiety disorders: a randomised controlled trial

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN88858028

Enrollment

140

Registered

2005-09-09

Start date

2004-10-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2015-01-13

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

Conditions

Depression and anxiety in children Mental and Behavioural Disorders Depression

Interventions

In partnership with the school system, we will evaluate and disseminate a preventive, cognitive behavioural intervention (CBT) for children at risk for anxiety or depression. Participants will be rand

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Screening 'gold standard' self-report inventories include: Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC; March, 1998) and Children?s Depression Inventory (CDI; Kovacs, 1983). Children 5 - 11 years old, either sex, with t-score elevations >60 on either the total score or at least 4 subscales of either instrument will be considered eligible for study.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Already meet criteria for disorder on the ADIS 2. Are unable to complete the inventories due to intellectual impairment or weak English skills (limiting the benefits of cognitive behavioral therapy) 3. Are already engaged in ongoing psychiatric or psychological treatment that could confound study intervention effects 4. Elevated 'externalising' scores on the CBCL (t-score greater than 60), as these children may be difficult to manage in CBT groups, and may obtain more benefit from other interventions

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Reduction of anxious symptoms. Children?s score on the standardised self-report inventory: MASC. Measured immediately post-intervention and again one year after that (i.e. 15 months after start).	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
All are measured immediately post-intervention and again one year after that (i.e. 15 months after start) 1. Reduction of depressive symptoms - will be assessed using CDI 2. The emergence of disorder - will be ascertained using ADIS 3. Self-esteem - will be assessed using Harter Children?s Self-Concept Scales 4. Impairment - will be assessed using the Children Global Assessment Scale 5. Academic functioning - will be assessed using information from the children?s report cards, obtained with parental permission	—

Measure

Time frame

All are measured immediately post-intervention and again one year after that (i.e. 15 months after start) 1. Reduction of depressive symptoms - will be assessed using CDI 2. The emergence of disorder - will be ascertained using ADIS 3. Self-esteem - will be assessed using Harter Children?s Self-Concept Scales 4. Impairment - will be assessed using the Children Global Assessment Scale 5. Academic functioning - will be assessed using information from the children?s report cards, obtained with parental permission

—

Countries

Canada

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Mar 30, 2026