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ISRCTN
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ISRCTN68290510
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ClinicalTrials.gov identifier
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Public title
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Efficacy of humanistic counselling in schools for emotional distress
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Scientific title
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Efficacy of humanistic counselling in schools for emotional distress: a pilot randomised controlled trial
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Acronym
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SCOOLS
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Serial number at source
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UEC0809/19
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Study hypothesis
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For young people (13 - 18 years old) experiencing psychological distress, weekly counselling will be more effective than waiting list conditions.
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Lay summary
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Ethics approval
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University of Strathclyde Ethics Committee approved on the 17th December 2008
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Study design
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Multicentre randomised controlled pilot study
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Countries of recruitment
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United Kingdom
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Disease/condition/study domain
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Emotional distress
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Participants - inclusion criteria
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1. Aged 13 to 18 years, either sex
2. Experiencing borderline or abnormally high levels of emotional distress, as indicated by a score of 4 or above on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) Emotional Symptoms Subscale at assessment
3. Motivated to attend counselling, as indicated by a response of 'somewhat true' or 'certainly true' on the Anxiety Control Questionnaire (ACQ) at assessment
4. Capable of consenting to participate in research, as indicated by a member of the pastoral care team
5. Greater than 85 per cent attendance at school, as indicated by a member of the pastoral care team
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Participants - exclusion criteria
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1. Risk of significant harm to self or other, as indicated by a member of the pastoral care team and the researcher at assessment
2. Involvement with other child and young people mental health agencies, including the established school counselling service, as indicated by a member of the pastoral care team and/or the young person at assessment
3. Planning/likely to move school during period of study, as indicated by a member of the pastoral care team and/or the young person at assessment
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Anticipated start date
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05/01/2009
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Anticipated end date
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26/06/2009
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Status of trial
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Completed |
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Patient information material
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Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
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Target number of participants
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32
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Interventions
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Counselling:
Young people were offered weekly counselling for up to six sessions. The nature of the counselling was therapeutic rather than advice- or career-orientated, and was based on the competences for humanistic psychological therapies developed at University College London through funding from Skills for Health. Counselling, defined in this way, puts particular emphasis on the development of a trusting relationship between the therapist and client, and tries to understand the client's 'world' from their point of view. Counsellors were BACP accredited practitioners or equivalent, working within a set of professional ethical guidelines for counselling and psychotherapy. They had experience of working in humanistic ways with young people. A selection of session recordings were audited by the research team to monitor adherence to humanistic psychological therapy competences. The Humanistic Competences Compliance Checklist Version 3 was developed for this purpose. The Checklist was based on the format of the NICE(R) Record Sheet.
Waiting list:
Young people allocated to the control condition were not offered any formal counselling intervention for the six week period. However, they were informed that they had access to the school's full pastoral care provision at any point during the trial, including the school's pre-existing counselling service. At the endpoint assessment, participants in the waiting list condition were offered the option of direct entry to counselling.
Follow-up on both arms was at six weeks from baseline assessment.
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Primary outcome measure(s)
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Emotional Symptom Score on SDQ (SDQ-ES), measured at baseline and six weeks
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Secondary outcome measure(s)
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Measured at baseline and six weeks:
1. Total Difficulties Score on SDQ (SDQ-TD)
2. Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ)
3. Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation for Young People (YP-CORE)
4. Experience of Service Questionnaire (ESQ)
5. Social Inclusion Questionnaire (IQYP)
6. Adapted Change Interview (for clients)
7. Adapted Change Interview (for waitlist)
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Sources of funding
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1. British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (UK)
2. University of Strathclyde (UK)
3. Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Trust (UK)
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Trial website
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Publications
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Contact name
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Prof
Mick
Cooper
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Address
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76 Southbrae Drive
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City/town
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Glasgow
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Zip/Postcode
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G13 1PP
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Country
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United Kingdom
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Email
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mick.cooper@strath.ac.uk
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Sponsor
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University of Strathclyde (UK)
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Address
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76 Southbrae Drive
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City/town
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Glasgow
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Zip/Postcode
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G13 1PP
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Country
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United Kingdom
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Email
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sarah.currie@strath.ac.uk
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Sponsor website:
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http://www.strath.ac.uk
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Date applied
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02/12/2009
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Last edited
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21/12/2009
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Date ISRCTN assigned
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21/12/2009
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