Rates Of Mental Health Disorders Research Articles

The Impact of Parental Solid Self, Treatment Involvement, Stress, and Parenting Styles on Children’s Mental Health Symptom Severity

AbstractWith the increasing rate of mental health disorders among youth in the United States (U.S.) and the essential role of parents in children’s development, many studies have investigated the relationship between parental factors and children’s mental health. The current study expanded on this research by exploring the impact of parent solid self (i.e., one subcategory of differentiation of self), parenting stress, parenting styles, and parent involvement in treatment on children’s mental health symptom severity. The sample included 216 parents (U.S. residents; Mage = 33.84, SDage = 5.384) with at least one youth aged 3–17 years actively or historically in mental health treatment. Participants completed an online survey that included a demographic questionnaire and measures of parenting styles, parental solid self, parental stress, and children’s symptom severity. A simple linear regression found that parental solid self and stress levels were associated with the severity of children’s symptoms. A two-way ANOVA revealed that parenting styles had a significant main effect on children’s symptom severity. Results also showed that the level of authoritative parenting style mediated the relationship between parental solid self and children’s symptom severity. This study further highlighted the importance of promoting individual therapy or psychoeducation for parents and how it might benefit children’s treatment. Future research may consider children’s perspectives, how parents engage with their child’s treatment, incorporating more expansive assessment methods, and longitudinal designs to further explore the impact of parents’ differentiation of self, parental stress, parenting styles, and parental involvement in treatment on children’s symptom severity.

Global Trends and Correlations in Mental Health Disorders: A Comprehensive Analysis from 1990 to 2019

This original paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the prevalence and trends in mental health disorders (n=6,420) from 1990 to 2019. Utilizing a sourced dataset, statistical methods are used to explore the increasing rates of mental health disorders, with a focus on healthcare workers, gender disparities, and geographical variations. The study reveals a significant increase in the prevalence of mental health disorders over the past three decades. Healthcare workers were found to be at a particularly higher risk for adverse mental health outcomes. Additionally, the data showed notable geographical variations, indicating the need for region-specific healthcare policies. Gender disparities were also evident, emphasizing the importance of gender-specific mental health interventions. Policymakers and healthcare providers should consider these findings to implement effective mental health programs, especially for at-risk groups like healthcare workers. The study also highlights the need for future research to provide a more comprehensive understanding of mental health trends globally.

Mental and Physical Health Comorbidities in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Non-TBI Controls Comparison

ObjectiveTo examine whether aging with a TBI was associated with a greater burden of health-related comorbidities compared with a non-TBI control cohort and examine the associations between comorbidity burden, emotional outcomes, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after TBI across ages. DesignCross-sectional. SettingResearch center or telephone. ParticipantsThe study included 559 participants (NTBI=291, NControls=268). Participants with TBI were recruited during inpatient rehabilitation and had sustained a moderate-severe TBI 1-33 years previously. Non-TBI controls were a convenience sample recruited through advertisements in the community. InterventionsNot applicable. Main Outcome MeasuresThe number of cardiovascular, general physical health, and mental health comorbidities was compared between cohorts and age strata using Poisson regression. The relationships between comorbidities, age, emotional outcomes (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7, Patient Health Questionnaire-9), and HRQoL (PROMIS Global Health Measure) were examined with linear regression. Distinct subgroups of comorbidities were identified using latent class analysis. Associations between comorbidity classes with demographic and outcome variables were evaluated using multinomial logistic and linear regressions, respectively. ResultsTBI participants had a significantly higher comorbidity burden than controls, primarily driven by elevated rates of mental health disorders (RR=2.71, 95% confidence interval [1.37, 5.35]). Cardiovascular and physical health comorbidities were not elevated in the TBI group compared with controls. Both cohorts had 3 similar comorbidity subgroups, suggesting consistent patterns of co-occurring health conditions regardless of TBI exposure. Physical and mental health comorbidities were associated with elevated depression and anxiety symptoms and diminished HRQoL after TBI compared with controls. ConclusionTBI was associated with greater mental, but not physical, health comorbidities in the decades after injury. However, physical and mental health comorbidities significantly affected emotional and HRQoL status after TBI, underscoring a greater need for long-term support for individuals with TBI coping with both physical and mental health comorbidities.

Trial protocol for the Building Resilience through Socio-Emotional Training (ReSET) programme: a cluster randomised controlled trial of a new transdiagnostic preventative intervention for adolescents

BackgroundAdolescence is a period of heightened vulnerability to developing mental health problems, and rates of mental health disorder in this age group have increased in the last decade. Preventing mental health problems developing before they become entrenched, particularly in adolescents who are at high risk, is an important research and clinical target. Here, we report the protocol for the trial of the ‘Building Resilience through Socioemotional Training’ (ReSET) intervention. ReSET is a new, preventative intervention that incorporates individual-based emotional training techniques and group-based social and communication skills training. We take a transdiagnostic approach, focusing on emotion processing and social mechanisms implicated in the onset and maintenance of various forms of psychopathology.MethodsA cluster randomised allocation design is adopted with randomisation at the school year level. Five-hundred and forty adolescents (aged 12–14) will be randomised to either receive the intervention or not (passive control). The intervention is comprised of weekly sessions over an 8-week period, supplemented by two individual sessions. The primary outcomes, psychopathology symptoms and mental wellbeing, will be assessed pre- and post-intervention, and at a 1-year follow-up. Secondary outcomes are task-based assessments of emotion processing, social network data based on peer nominations, and subjective ratings of social relationships. These measures will be taken at baseline, post-intervention and 1-year follow-up. A subgroup of participants and stakeholders will be invited to take part in focus groups to assess the acceptability of the intervention.DiscussionThis project adopts a theory-based approach to the development of a new intervention designed to target the close connections between young people’s emotions and their interpersonal relationships. By embedding the intervention within a school setting and using a cluster-randomised design, we aim to develop and test a feasible, scalable intervention to prevent the onset of psychopathology in adolescence.Trial registrationISRCTN88585916. Trial registration date: 20/04/2023.

Building resilience: Key to protecting adolescent mental health

Building resilience: Key to protecting adolescent mental health Essi Viding, Pasco Fearon, Tom Wu, Alexander Lloyd, Laura Lucas, Roslyn Law, and Jaime Smith discuss new approaches to preventing adolescent mental health problems from emerging. Adolescence is a period of heightened vulnerability to developing mental health problems. Rates of mental health disorder among adolescents have increased in the last decade(1). In light of the vast associated interpersonal and economic costs(2,3) , it is striking how few resources have been invested in advancing our understanding of how to effectively prevent mental health problems developing before they become entrenched, particularly in adolescents who are at high risk.

Perceptions of mental health providers of the barriers and facilitators of using and engaging youth in digital mental-health-enabled measurement based care.

Increased rates of mental health disorders and substance use among youth and young adults have increased globally, furthering the strain on an already burdened mental health system. Digital solutions have been proposed as a potential option for the provision of timely mental health services for youth, with little research exploring mental health professional views about using such innovative tools. In Alberta, Canada, we are evaluating the implementation and integration of a digital mental health (dMH) platform into existing service pathways. Within this paper we seek to explore mental health professionals' perceptions of the barriers and facilitators that may influence their utilization of digital MH-enabled measurement-based care (MBC) with the youth who access their services. A qualitative, descriptive methodology was used to inductively generate themes from focus groups conducted with mental health professionals from specialized mental health services and primary care networks in Alberta. As mental health professionals considered the barriers and facilitators of using dMH with youth, they referenced individual and family barriers and facilitators to consider. Providers highlighted perceived barriers, including: first, cultural stigma, family apprehension about mental health care, and parental access to dMH and MBC as deterrents to providers adopting digital platforms in routine care; second, perceptions of increased responsibility and liability for youth in crisis; third, perception that some psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders in youth are not amenable to dMH; fourth, professionals contemplated youth readiness to engage with dMH-enabled MBC. Participants also highlighted pertinent facilitators to dMH use, noting: first, the suitability of dMH for youth with mild mental health concerns; second, youth motivated to report their changes in mental health symptoms; and lastly, youth proficiency and preference for dMH options. By identifying professionals' perceptions of barriers and facilitators for youth users, we may better understand how to address misconceptions about who is eligible and appropriate for dMH through training and education.

Self-Efficacy with Bullying and Cyberbullying Prevention Efforts in Supporting Implementation SDGs: Literature Review

Bullying is any violent behaviour that is perpetrated repeatedly and intentionally against a person or group of weaker groups. Today, it has become a global problem that is often encountered and faced by many people, not only in the real world but also in the virtual world of cyberbullying. This is the cause of the increase in the number graph of people with mental health disorders, thus creating challenges for everyone to control self-awareness. Therefore, self-efficacy is one of the best treatments for each individual to prevent and recover victims because it can give confidence in their self-esteem and build confidence in each individual. This literature review examines the relationship between self-efficacy and efforts to prevent bullying and cyberbullying in support of implementing SDGs in Indonesia. The study used the literature review design by retrieving articles through an electronic database, namely Google Scholar and eResources. All journals were published around 2013–2023, with keywords used to search for articles: self-efficacy, prevention, bullying, cyberbullying, and SDGs. This method is done by analyzing narratives in journals that are found through several stages, which is to collect 659 articles or research results from international standard journals until 7 articles related to the topic are covered. The results of this study show that there is a link between self-efficacy and bullying prevention efforts and cyberbullying that are proven to improve mental health awareness. The implementation of self-efficacy should be done regularly through a sustainable and ongoing system promoted by collaborating with various parties, leading to improvements in mental health quality to lower the rate of mental health disorders.

Co-occurring substance use disorders among patients with opioid use disorder in rural primary care clinics

BackgroundCo-occurring substance use disorders (SUDs) among individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) are associated with additional impairment, overdose, and death. This study examined characteristics of patients who have OUD with and without co-occurring SUDs in rural primary care clinics. MethodsSecondary analysis used electronic health record (EHR) data from six rural primary care clinics, including demographics, diagnoses, encounters, and prescriptions of medication for OUD (MOUD), as well as EHR data from an external telemedicine vendor that provided MOUD to some clinic patients. The study population included all adult patients who had a visit to the participating clinics from October 2019 to January 2021. ResultsWe identified 1164 patients with OUD; 72.6 % had OUD only, 11.5 % had OUD and stimulant use disorder (OUD + StUD), and 15.9 % had OUD and other non-stimulant substance use disorder (OUD + Other). The OUD + StUD group had the highest rates of hepatitis C virus (25.4 % for OUD + StUD, 17.8 % for OUD + Other, and 7.5 % for OUD Only; p < 0.001) and the highest rates of mental health disorders (78.4 %, 69.7 %, and 59.9 %, respectively; p < 0.001). Compared to the OUD Only group, patients in the OUD + StUD and OUD + Other groups were more likely to receive telehealth services provided by clinic staff, in-clinic behavioral health services, and in-clinic MOUD. The OUD + StUD group had the highest proportion of referrals to the external telemedicine vendor. ConclusionsMore than 27 % of patients with OUD in rural primary care clinics had other co-occurring SUDs, and these patients received more healthcare services than those with OUD only. Future studies should examine variations in outcomes associated with these other services among patients with OUD and co-occurring SUDs.

Empathy, emotional intelligence and cohabitant caregiver stress: caring for persons with severe mental health disorders

Caregiving for persons with severe mental health disorders is associated with higher stress levels and a lower quality of life. As rates of mental health disorders increase worldwide, the need for assisting familial caregivers with strategies to reduce stress is paramount. The present study examines the relationships between empathy (cognitive and affective), emotional intelligence and stress in these caregivers. A parallel mediation model demonstrates that cognitive empathy, in particular, partially mediated the negative relationship between emotional intelligence and stress, indicating the importance of cognitive empathy in caregiving. The results of this study can help design targeted interventions to reduce caregiver stress.

“A lot of work needs to be done”—Service provider perspectives of mental health services available to Croatia‐ and Bosnia‐born migrants

AbstractResearch suggests that migrants have higher rates of mental health disorders but are less likely to access mental health services, which highlights both their vulnerability to mental illness and inequity in service provision. Despite being large and established culturally similar migrant cohorts in Australia, Croatians and Bosnians are invisible in mental health research. This qualitative study collected practice‐based evidence from eight mental health service providers who have had direct professional contact with these communities, in order to understand how they engage with services, barriers to uptake and provide suggestions for service improvements. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes across interviews, which were then compared against Yang and Hwang's Migrant Mental Health Service Utilisation Model. The study identified unique factors specific to Croatia‐ and Bosnia‐born migrants that impact how they engage with services, including mandated/prescribed services, religious resources, knowledge resources, referral pathways and procedures, and service provider competencies. This study will promote a better understanding of the limitations of the current mental health service offerings for Croatia‐ and Bosnia‐born migrants, making it significant to practitioners, mental health organizations, policymakers and the general public.

Assessing Attendance Frequency and Duration at a Drop-In Animal Visitation Program Among First-Semester University Students Separated From Their Pets

ABSTRACT Anxiety and stress among incoming university students are associated with higher rates of mental health disorders and decreased academic success. One approach universities employ to prevent these problems is the implementation of Animal Visitation Programs (AVPs). While efficacy trials suggest positive effects, little is known about students’ program uptake (e.g., attendance frequency and duration) or students’ characteristics (e.g., current mood and past mental health, pet ownership, and pet separation anxiety) that shape program uptake. This study identified student characteristics that predicted AVP uptake in a subsample (n = 209) of randomly selected first-year university students (n = 2,000) who were screened for pet ownership and randomly assigned to attend a semester-long drop-in AVP program (i.e., seven 2-hour sessions) (n = 105) with registered therapy dogs or a waitlist control group (n = 104). Using logistic and multiple regression modeling, participants’ mental health history, current mood, and relationship with their childhood pet were modeled on students’ attendance frequency and duration. Students’ early session uptake was negatively associated with mental health history (B frequency = –0.876, p = 0.03, OR = 0.417) and perceived stress (B frequency = –0.177, p = 0.04, OR = 0.838; β duration = –0.433, p = 0.02, d = 0.61) and positively associated with current anxiety (B frequency = 0.179, p = 0.01, OR = 1.196; β duration = 0.513, p = 0.01, d = 0.66). Overall attendance was negatively associated with levels of pet separation anxiety (β frequency = –0.342, p = 0.004, d = 0.70; β duration = –0.286, p = 0.03, d = 0.53) and identifying as male (β frequency = –0.308, p = 0.003, d = 0.72; β duration = –0.321, p = 0.004, d = 0.68) and was positively associated with early uptake (β frequency = 0.627, p < 0.001, d = 1.40; β duration = 0.532, p < 0.001, d = 1.08). Findings suggest that program attendance may be enhanced by prioritizing access to students experiencing anxiety upon arrival to campus, rather than students experiencing stress, pet separation anxiety, or those reporting a history of mental health problems. Administrators should strongly promote attendance to the first session as this is significantly associated with greater program uptake.

90 Screening Test Accuracy and Reliability of the Parent-Report Preschool Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (P-SDQ) in Primary Care Settings

Abstract Introduction/Background Previous research shows that mental health disorders can be identified in preschoolers. Detecting disorders early in life is key for early intervention and prevention of life-long behavioural and emotional issues. Individuals who experience mental health issues before the age of 14 years are at increased risk of a mental health disorder in adulthood, contrary to the idea that issues seen in young children are transient. Although the rate of mental health disorders in preschoolers is similar to the rate in older children, there is no agreed upon standard of care for routine screening or case identification of psychiatric problems in young children. Improving mental health and long-term outcomes for children requires early identification and monitoring of children at risk, including a screening tool that can be used in primary care settings. Objectives To evaluate the criterion validity (screening test accuracy) and test-retest reliability of the parent-report preschool Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (P-SDQ) in primary care settings for a sample of 2-4 year olds. Specifically, we were interested in evaluating the screening test accuracy of the P-SDQ for presence of DSM-5 diagnoses. Design/Methods Children 24-48 months were recruited at scheduled primary care visits in Toronto, Canada. Parents completed the P-SDQ at baseline, 2 and 12 weeks. At 12 weeks, parents participated in the Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPA). We assessed the criterion validity of the baseline P-SDQ using three different criterion measures. We compared the Total Difficulties Score (TDS) with presence of any DSM-5 diagnoses on the PAPA. For the internalizing subscale score, the criterion was presence of any internalizing disorder. For the externalizing subscale score, the criterion was presence of any externalizing disorder. Criterion validity was evaluated using area under the curve (AUC) and calculating screening test properties for a range of threshold values of the TDS and two subscale scores. Optimal thresholds were selected based on the maximal value of both sensitivity and specificity. Test-retest reliability at baseline and 2 weeks was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results 183 children were enrolled, mean age 39.3 (SD 7.4) months, 46.4% male, 120 (66%) completed the P-SDQ at 2 weeks, 107 (58%) completed the PAPA at 12 weeks. Of those with a PAPA, 26 (24%) had any psychiatric diagnosis, 22 (21%) had an internalizing disorder, 9 (8%) had an externalizing disorder, and 5 (5%) had both. TDS identified any diagnosis with AUC = 0.67 (95% CI: 0.55, 0.79); the internalizing subscale identified internalizing disorders with AUC = 0.61 (95% CI: 0.47, 0.74); the externalizing subscale identified externalizing disorders with AUC = 0.77 (95% CI: 0.60, 0.94). Sensitivity and specificity for TDS were 50% and 78%; for internalizing subscale were 18% and 99%; for externalizing subscale were 78% and 71%. Test-retest reliability (ICC) for the TDS was 0.72 (95% CI: 0.62, 0.80); internalizing subscale was 0.62 (95% CI: 0.49, 0.71); externalizing subscale was 0.79 (95% CI: 0.72, 0.86). Conclusion The parent report P-SDQ externalizing subscale has sufficient accuracy and reliability for identifying externalizing disorders in primary care. The TDS and internalizing subscale perform less well. Table 3: Screening test properties of the P-SDQ compared with the PAPA (n=107)

Parent and Therapist Perceptions of the Feasibility, Acceptability, and Benefits of a Weekly Therapist-Led Massage Program for Extremely Preterm Infants in Neonatal Intensive Care.

Mothers of extremely preterm infants experience high rates of mental health disorders that impair maternal-infant interaction and lead to worse infant developmental outcomes. Therapist Education and Massage for Parent-Infant Outcomes (TEMPO) is a therapist-led program that standardizes the nature and frequency of parent education through weekly scheduled therapy sessions. Using a family-centered approach, the therapist facilitates positive maternal-infant interactions and massage interventions from birth throughout hospitalization with the goal of improving maternal mental health. This qualitative study presents the results of 19 parent interviews and of a focus group of four TEMPO interventionists to elicit feedback about the program. Overall, parents and therapists viewed the program positively. Parents and therapists valued the focus on parent education and engagement to increase parent competence and bonding opportunities. Both groups acknowledged that infant massage had both infant-centered and parent-centered benefits. One area where parent and therapist views did not align was regarding feasibility of TEMPO. Parents noted multiple logistical challenges to regular NICU visitation, but ultimately agreed that attending weekly therapy sessions was feasible. Therapists noted increased time and effort required of TEMPO and felt that institutional and system-level changes would be necessary to implement weekly parent education as standard of care.

Breaking Cyclic Intergenerational Literacy Deficits: Describing Linguistic Interactions Between Adolescent Mothers and Their Young Children

Adolescent mothers (AMs) often experience limited academic and financial attainment and higher rates of mental health disorders, which may affect their relationships with their children. Although children of AMs are at higher risk for developmental delays, there is no clear evidence of the relationships between mother characteristics and child outcomes. This descriptive study explored AMs’ and their children’s sociodemographic characteristics and language skills, home literacy environment, and the quality of mother–child interactions. Eight AM–child dyads were recruited from local school districts. Data were collected through questionnaires, standardized measures of language, and mother–child interactions. Most AMs demonstrated below-average language skills and most children had language scores that fell within the average range. AMs demonstrated strong affectionate behaviors, and emerging responsive, encouraging, and teaching behaviors when interacting with their children. This study provides unique data on AMs’ language characteristics that have not been clearly published in the literature.

The impact of imprisonment on individuals’ mental health and society reintegration: study protocol

BackgroundPrison sentences are a particular type of penalty that aim to reintegrate individuals into society. Nonetheless, research suggests that prison sentences have a null or a criminogenic effect on recidivism and a critical impact on inmates’ mental health, negatively interfering with their successful reintegration into society and recidivism. Prevalence rates of mental health disorders among individuals who commit crimes are high, but little is known about how incarceration perpetuates and/or worsens mental health symptoms. In the Portuguese context, no studies focused on understanding the impact of imprisonment on prisoners’ mental health. Thus, this project aims to understand incarceration’s mental health and well-being impact on male and female individuals convicted to prison, both while incarcerated and after release.MethodsThe study will follow a quantitative cross-sectional design of male and female individuals in prison and parole, aiming to assess different samples at different moments of the prison sentence. It will also follow a longitudinal design in a subsample of male and female individuals sentenced to prison and on parole who will be followed for one year.DiscussionThis study intends to have a meaningful impact on the understanding of imprisonment effects, giving important clues for developing and implementing evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies to address prisoners’ and ex-prisoners’ mental health and improve their ability to successfully reintegrate into society and reduce recidivism.

RWD153 Investigating Trends of Behavioral Healthcare Resource Utilization Burden in Children and Adolescents with Suicidal Symptoms in the United States: An Analysis of Electronic Health Record Data

The increasing rates of mental health disorders and suicide among children and adolescents have highlighted the importance of understanding the burden of healthcare resource utilization for this population. This study aims to investigate trends in the utilization of behavioral health services by minors with suicidal or self-harm symptoms in the United States.

Obesity in Sexual and Gender Minority Populations: Prevalence and Correlates.

The purpose of this review is to explore the prevalence and correlates of obesity among members of sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations. Research overall finds higher rates of obesity among lesbian and bisexual women than heterosexual women, lower rates of obesity among gay and bisexual men than heterosexual men, and inconsistent findings on obesity among transgender individuals. Rates of mental health disorders and disordered eating are high among all SGM groups. Rates of comorbid medical conditions differ among groups. More research needs to be conducted within all SGM groups but particularly among transgender populations. All members of SGM encounter stigma, including when seeking healthcare, and this may lead to individuals avoiding healthcare. Therefore, it is important to educate providers about population-specific factors. This article serves as an overview of important considerations for providers treating individuals within SGM populations.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Access to Mental Health Care Services

The COVID-19 pandemic increased the rate of mental health disorders, as well as demand for mental health services. It remains unclear, however, the extent to which it impacted access to mental health care. Using data from an audit field experiment, which ran from January to May 2020 and overlapped with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we examine the impact of COVID-19 on access to mental health care appointments in the United States. We find that increased intensity of COVID-19–measured by daily cases, daily fatalities, and weekly excess deaths–is associated with decreased access to mental health care appointments.

Rising Racial Disparities in Opioid Mortality and Undertreatment of Opioid Use Disorder and Mental Health Comorbidities in Virginia

There were more than 100,000 fatal drug overdoses in the U.S. in 2021 alone. In recent years, there has been a shift in opioid mortality from predominantly White rural communities to Black urban communities. This study aimed to identify the Virginia communities disproportionately affected by the overdose crisis and to better understand the systemic factors contributing to disparities in opioid mortality. Using the state all-payer claims database, state mortality records, and census data, we created a multivariate model to examine the community-level factors contributing to racial disparities in opioid mortality. We used generalized linear mixed models to examine the associations between socioecologic factors and fatal opioid overdoses, opioid use disorder diagnoses, opioid-related emergency department visits, and mental health diagnoses. Between 2015 and 2020, racial disparities in mortality widened. In 2020, Black males were 1.5 times more likely to die of an opioid overdose than White males (47.3 vs 31.6 per 100,000; p<0.001). The rate of mental health disorders strongly correlated with mortality (β=0.53, p<0.001). Black individuals are not more likely to be diagnosed with opioid use disorder (β=0.01, p=0.002) or with mental health disorders (β= -0.12, p<0.001), despite higher fatal opioid overdoses. There are widening racial disparities in opioid mortality. Untreated mental health disorders are a major risk factor for opioid mortality. Findings show pathways to address inequities, including early linkage to care for mental health and opioid use disorders. This analysis shows the use of comprehensive socioecologic data to identify the precursors to fatal overdoses, which could allow earlier intervention and reallocation of resources in high-risk communities.

Does an app designed to reduce repetitive negative thinking decrease depression and anxiety in young people? (RETHINK): a randomized controlled prevention trial

BackgroundThe first onset of common mental health disorders, such as mood and anxiety disorders, mostly lies in adolescence or young adulthood. Hence, effective and scalable prevention programs for this age group are urgently needed. Interventions focusing on repetitive negative thinking (RNT) appear especially promising as RNT is an important transdiagnostic process involved in the development of depression and anxiety disorders. First clinical trials indeed show positive effects of preventative interventions targeting RNT on adult as well as adolescent mental health. Self-help interventions that can be delivered via a mobile phone app may have the advantage of being highly scalable, thus facilitating prevention on a large scale. This trial aims to investigate whether an app-based RNT-focused intervention can reduce depressive and anxiety symptoms in young people at risk for mental health disorders.MethodsThe trial will be conducted in a sample (planned N = 351) of individuals aged 16–22 years with elevated levels of RNT but no current depression or anxiety disorder. In a randomized controlled between-subjects design, two versions of the app-based self-help intervention will be compared to a waiting list control condition. The full RNT-focused intervention encompasses a variety of RNT-reducing strategies, whereas the concreteness training intervention focuses on only one of these strategies, i.e., concrete thinking. The primary outcome (depressive symptoms) and secondary outcomes (anxiety symptoms and RNT) will be measured at pre-intervention, post-intervention (6 weeks after pre-intervention), and follow-up (18 weeks after pre-intervention).DiscussionThis trial aims to find out whether targeting RNT via an app is an effective and feasible way of preventing depression and anxiety disorders in adolescents. Since app-based interventions are highly scalable, this trial might contribute to tackling challenges related to the increasing rates of mental health disorders among young people.Trial registrationhttps://www.drks.de, DRKS00027384. Registered on 21 February 2022—prospectively registered.