Trial of the Youth Readiness Intervention

Summary

The research will first examine data obtained from YRI participants to investigate effects of the group sessions on psychosocial and functioning outcomes in youth.

In pursuit of this aim, this research will investigate the following hypothesis: Participation in the Youth Readiness Intervention will reduce symptoms of internalizing, externalizing, trauma-related symptoms, and improve prosocial skills and functioning among war-affected 15-24 year olds in Sierra Leone.

The research also intends to examine whether youth enrolled in a psychosocial "Youth Readiness Intervention" (YRI) and a complementary education program fare better than an education-only control group, a psychosocial-only control group, and a waitlist control group.

In pursuit of this second aim, this research will investigate the following hypothesis: A combined psychosocial-education program is an effective paradigm for improving psychosocial, functional, educational, and economic self-sufficiency outcomes among war-affected youth.

Conditions

• Anxiety Disorder/Anxiety State
• Depressive Disorder/Psychology
• Social Problems/Psychology
• Stress, Psychological
• Violence, Non-accidental

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

YRI

The YRI brings together six empirically-supported practice elements shown to be efficacious across different mental health interventions, as well as methods intended to socialize youth and improve self-efficacy. Practice elements address the broad scope of problems evidenced in Sierra Leonean war-affected youth and enhance the YRI's pacing, which progresses through three phases traditionally used in trauma treatments (stabilization, integration, connection). The weekly intervention takes place over 10 sessions lasting approximately one hour and a half. Groups are divided by gender and age. Each group is paired with two interventionists of the same gender.

OTHER

EducAid educational programming

EducAid is a charitable trust that provides free year-round education to over 1,500 youth, along with food, medicine, and shelter when needed. EducAid's education model aims to improve academic knowledge, self-efficacy, and attitudes toward school. Additionally, it aims to nurture hope for the future and a sense of normalcy through interactions with teachers, mentors, and peers.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Caritas Freetown

  collaborator OTHER

• International Rescue Committee

  collaborator OTHER

• Harvard Medical School (HMS and HSDM)

  collaborator OTHER

• Yale University

  collaborator OTHER

• The City College of New York

  collaborator OTHER

• Boston College

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Theresa S Betancourt, ScD, MA · Boston College

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

15 Years

Max Age

24 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2012-04-30

Primary Completion

2014-12-31

Completion

2014-12-31

Countries

• Sierra Leone

Study Locations