Effectiveness of a School Wellbeing Programme for Internalising Problems in Irish Primary School Children

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a school-based multi-component universal programme for the reduction of internalising problems (i.e. anxiety and low mood) in primary school pupils.

Detailed Description
-----------------
Childhood and adolescence are important developmental phases for wellbeing and mental health. School has been noted in psychological literature to be a favourable environment for mental health initiatives, such as school-based programmes. Universal programmes are programmes delivered to all pupils irrespective of perceived need and have several advantages, including having a wide reach, avoiding the need for screening and are less stigmatising. A Lust for Life is a universal school-based multi-component intervention whose target is to build well-being and emotional resilience in children. The programme was informed by evidence-based psychological approaches including cognitive behaviour therapy, positive psychology and mindfulness and consists of six lessons, each delivered by the pupils' school teacher on a weekly basis. The lessons involve classroom discussions, videos, classroom activities and homework assignments. Study participants will complete the Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale Short Format, Coping strategy indicator and Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children pre-intervention. Following this, schools randomly assigned to the experimental group will receive A Lust for Life, while those randomly assigned to the control group will be placed on a sixteen-week waiting list. The questionnaire measures and a Brief Satisfaction Scale will be completed by participants at post-intervention. In addition, a six-week follow-up assessment will determine whether the effects of the programme are sustained over a period of time. The programme will be delivered in the waiting list control group schools after the six-week follow-up assessment.

Official Title
-----------------
Evaluating the Impact of a School Wellbeing Programme on Internalising Problems in Primary School Children

Conditions
-----------------
Anxiety, Low Mood

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Behavioral: A Lust for Life Schools Programme


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: Child Enrolled in primary school in Ireland Obtain written informed consent from parents/guardians Provide written assent Exclusion Criteria: Failure to meet inclusion criteria

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 10 Years
Maximum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: A Lust for Life Schools Programme Group<br>A Lust for Life programme will be delivered to primary school pupils by their school teachers in six weekly lessons. Well-being and resilience will be promoted in each lesson through classroom discussions, videos, classroom activities and homework assignments. | Behavioral: A Lust for Life Schools Programme<br>* A Lust for Life is a universal school-based multi-component programme whose target is to build well-being and emotional resilience in children. The programme was informed by evidence-based psychological approaches including mindfulness, cognitive behaviour therapy and positive psychology. It is delivered in six weekly lessons by the childrens' school teacher and involves classroom discussions, videos, classroom activities and homework assignments.<br>|
| No Intervention: Waiting list control group<br>Participants will be placed on a sixteen-week waiting list for the programme. | |

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Symptoms of anxiety and low mood measured by the Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale Short Form | 25-item self-report measure of anxiety and depression symptoms of individuals aged 8-18 years. | 16 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Coping skills as measured by the Coping Strategy Indicator | 33-item measure that measures three coping factors: seeking social support, problem-solving, and avoidance. | 16 weeks | 
| Self-efficacy as measured by the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children | 24-item questionnaire that measures three factors: academic, social and emotional self-efficacy. | 16 weeks |