Dissemination Strategies and Implementation Outcomes of Adolescent Character Strength Interventions.
Condition: Mental Health Disorder
MeSH terms: Mental Disorders
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The present research study will involve investigating the efficacy of large-scale
      dissemination models of evidence-based character strength interventions in secondary schools
      in Kenya. This intervention, derived from a previously tested intervention named Shamiri, or
      thrive in Kiswahili, uses positive psychology and accessible life skills to build individual
      resilience and wellness. This will be a one-arm trial with participants recruited from 20
      secondary schools in Nairobi, Kiambu and Makueni counties. The investigators estimate a
      sample size of 3000 youth, working on an intention to treat basis. All interested
      participants will be admitted to the program, with no exclusion criteria applied. The
      investigators will report on the efficacy of character strength interventions on wellbeing
      and mental health outcomes. Further, the investigators will also assess the scalability and
      acceptability of the program post intervention. Additionally, the investigators will examine
      moderator effects on the participants, baseline attributes of the participants, and
      potentially the effects of candidate mediators on intervention effects.
    

Detailed description: 
      This is a dissemination study whose objective is to explore the effectiveness, acceptability,
      and scalability of the Shamiri intervention when implemented in a large-scale naturalistic
      dissemination study in Kenyan secondary schools. Specifically, this study has two broad
      goals: 1) to test the effectiveness of Shamiri on mental health and psychosocial outcomes
      when delivered naturalistically on a large scale through either a centralized and
      de-centralized (train the trainers) administration, and 2) to examine and measure outcomes of
      these large-scale dissemination models.

      For goal 1, participants will receive Shamiri directly through the Shamiri team or through an
      implementation partner. The investigators will measure mental health and psychosocial
      outcomes to determine if these outcomes compare to those reported in prior RCTs of Shamiri.
      The investigators hypothesize that participants receiving Shamiri will experience similar
      improvements in mental health and psychosocial outcomes as reported in previous RCTs. The
      investigators don't have a priori hypothesis on whether the mode through which the
      participants receive the intervention will affect intervention outcomes.

      To achieve goal 2, investigators measure the following implementation related outcomes:
      intervention fidelity, cost, sustainment, acceptability, penetration, and cost-effectiveness.
      The investigators hypothesize that the Shamiri intervention will achieve high ratings in all
      intervention outcomes.
    

Intervention name(s): Shamiri Intervention
Intervention type(s): Other
Intervention description(s): The first two sessions focus on the concept of growth mindset, the third session focuses on gratitude, and the fourth and final session focuses on values. In session one, participants are guided through a Growth mindset intervention designed to convey the idea that people and their situations can change for the better. In session two, group leaders introduce a discussion and activities about effective strategies for growth. Then, the group leaders introduce a framework for problem solving. In session three, group leaders emphasize the importance of verbalizing and consciously thinking about Gratitude, as well as its benefits for well-being. In the final session, participants are introduced to the concept of values. Participants discuss stories of culturally pertinent role models, with an emphasis on the values these individuals display, and how their values guided their life decisions and led to success and happiness.
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Other
Keywords: Depression; Anxiety