START NOW WebApp—promoting emotion regulation and resilience in residential youth care and correctional institutions: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial
Linda Kersten,
Janine Alfano,
Tobias E. Erlanger,
Fabrice Helfenstein,
Lelia Lanz,
Stefan Weiss,
Chiara Chilla,
Beryll von Planta,
Madlaina Kapoor,
Nathalie Borel,
Tabea Rocco,
Andreas Papageorgiou,
Catarina Fernandes De Brito,
Arzie Bajrami,
Valentine Savary,
Melanie Mayor,
Jana Hurschler,
Alex Traut,
Donja Brunner,
Noortje Vriends,
Christina Stadler
Affiliations
Linda Kersten
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, University of Basel
Janine Alfano
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, University of Basel
Tobias E. Erlanger
Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel and University Hospital Basel
Fabrice Helfenstein
Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel and University Hospital Basel
Lelia Lanz
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, University of Basel
Stefan Weiss
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, University of Basel
Chiara Chilla
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, University of Basel
Beryll von Planta
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, University of Basel
Madlaina Kapoor
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, University of Basel
Nathalie Borel
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, University of Basel
Tabea Rocco
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, University of Basel
Andreas Papageorgiou
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, University of Basel
Catarina Fernandes De Brito
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, University of Basel
Arzie Bajrami
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, University of Basel
Valentine Savary
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, University of Basel
Melanie Mayor
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, University of Basel
Jana Hurschler
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, University of Basel
Alex Traut
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, University of Basel
Donja Brunner
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, University of Basel
Noortje Vriends
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, University of Basel
Christina Stadler
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, University of Basel
Abstract Background Adolescents and young adults in residential care and correctional institutions face various challenges, leading to negative life outcomes. Implementation barriers within these institutions, such as limited financial and spatial resources, pose significant hurdles to providing necessary support. Web-based approaches address these challenges by offering cost-effective, accessible solutions. This study aims to assess the efficacy of a newly developed web-based version of the existing evidence-based START NOW skills training in fostering emotion regulation and resilience among institutionalized adolescents and young adults. We present the study protocol (Version 5, August 2023) of the trial titled “Implementation of an e-version of the skills training START NOW for promoting emotion regulation and resilience in residential youth care and correctional institutions”. Methods The study is a monocentric, prospective, confirmatory randomized controlled trial with 150 institutionalized adolescents and young adults with a need to improve resilience (predefined cut-offs). Participating institutions will be randomized to one of three conditions: (i) 9-week web-based group training guided by a facilitator, (ii) 9-week web-based self-help training, (iii) and treatment as usual. The primary endpoint is the change in psychological flexibility, assessed by the Avoidance and Fusion Questionnaire for Youth score, from baseline to follow-up 12 weeks post skills training. Secondary objectives encompass assessing pre-post changes in psychological flexibility and other psychological health-related outcome measures in participating adolescents, young adults, and caretakers from baseline, to post training, and to 12- and 24-week follow-ups. Discussion This study evaluates the efficacy of START NOW as web-based training for institutionalized adolescents and young adults, providing valuable insights into web-based interventions and aiming to optimize support levels. Trial registration {2a and 2b} ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05313581. Registered on 6 April 2022.
