Background
Mentalization-based therapy for adolescents (MBT-A) is effective in reducing self-harm and depressive symptoms in adolescents. However, MBT-A is a highly specialized treatment, delivered weekly by well-trained therapists. The treatment is therefore rarely offered in remote child and adolescent mental health outpatient clinics (CAMHS) and are therefore less available for youth living in rural areas. Also, for adolescents in foster or institutional care, unstable life situations make it challenging to attend location bound long-term psychotherapy. We have developed a hybrid-format weekend- and digital MBT-A group program, to accommodate the youths' needs and will evaluate the feasibility of the program.
Methods / Design
The program (We2U) is based on a MBT psychoeducative and group-therapy program combined with a parents group. The treatment is delivered as a hybrid format; a concentrated 3-day treatment in one weekend (including board and lodging) and weekly digital group sessions. Twelve adolescents aged 15-17 years with emotional dysregulation will be recruited for the feasibility study. Acceptability and rate of completion of assessment procedures, the intervention, and perceived benefits and barriers to participation will be assessed. Qualitative interviews with participants, caregivers, and referring specialist in CAMHS will be conducted to explore contextual and psychological factors associated with the intervention. Semistructured diagnostic interviews will be conducted, including questionnaires (BPFSC-11, RTSHIA, RFQ-Y) at pre-intervention, after 8 week, and at post-intervention at 16 weeks.
Aims
The goal is to examine new avenues of psychotherapy delivery for adolescents with emotional dysregulation. This study will contribute with new knowledge on the feasibility of a hybrid format (weekend meeting and digital weekly sessions) MBT-group therapy for youth with emotional dysregulation with less access to ordinary specialized long-term treatment.
Project Schedule
Inclusion Data collection: Qualitative survey of patient’s experience, February-March 2024. Further sub-projects are scheduled.
Project funding
The program (We2U) was supported by Helse-Midt Norge, innovation grants.
Collaborators
Collaborators in We2U: Child/Adolescence Mental Health Services, Møre & Romsdal Health trust: Outpatient clinics at three sites (Volda, Ålesund, Molde & Kristiansund).
Local project coordinator: Knut-Asbjørn Ulstein, MD, Child/adolescent psychiatrist
Project-collaborators: Christin Andersen, MD,PhD, Child/adolescent psychiatrist; Klara Johansson, MA, psychologist; Ingvil Jørstad Aurebekk, MD, Child/adolescent psychiatrist, Østfold Health trust
Principal Investigator: Benjamin Hummelen, MD, PhD, senior researcher, Oslo University Hospital.
Research leader: Anne-Sofie Furberg, Møre and Romsdal Health Trust.
Other research groups: Institute of Psychology: Line Indrevoll Stänicke, Associate Professor.
Contact
Local project coordinator: Knut Asbjørn Ulstein, tlf: 99327757, e-mail: knut.asbjorn.ulstein@helse-mr.no
Principal investigator: Benjamin Hummelen, tlf: 95741039, e-mail: UXBEUM@ous-hf.no