5 research outputs found
Feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of a mental health drop-in centre for the siblings of young people attending a paediatric hospital
Siblings of children with long-term conditions (LTCs) can have significantly elevated mental health needs, but these are often overlooked. A pragmatic single-arm feasibility pilot assessed feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of a drop-in centre in a paediatric hospital addressing mental health needs of patients with LTCs, their carers and siblings. The drop-in centre accepted self-referral and supplemented existing provision offering a suite of interventions, including signposting, diagnostic assessments and/or guided self-help. This paper reports on feasibility, acceptability and preliminary outcomes of this centre for siblings. Eighteen siblings aged 2-17 used the centre. Sixteen of their parents completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires at baseline and 6Â months post-baseline, and ten completed parent-reported PedsQL across two time points. Preliminary effectiveness results demonstrated a decrease in mental health symptoms with large effect size (score reduction of 3.44, 95% CI [1.25, 5.63], d = 0.84) and small effect on quality of life, with scores increasing from a median of 69.91, 95% CI [53.57, 91.67], to a median of 80.44, 95% CI [67.39, 89.13], r = 0.11 for these siblings. 88% of parents were satisfied with this provision for their sibling child. This study highlights the feasibility and value of assessing siblings for emotional and behavioural difficulties and providing them with an accessible, effective and acceptable intervention
Feasibility of low-intensity psychological interventions for emotional and behavioural difficulties in children and young people with genetic conditions: a case series
Background: Children with genetic conditions may experience significant mental health difficulties
such as anxiety and challenging behaviour. However, understanding of the feasibility and
effectiveness of psychological interventions for emotional and behavioural problems in the context
of genetic conditions is limited. Low-intensity psychological interventions have demonstrated
promise in paediatric populations and may be able to address their mental health difficulties. /
Method: A case series design was used to assess the feasibility of low-intensity interventions for
emotional and behavioural difficulties in children and young people with genetic conditions
recruited from a mental health drop-in centre at a tertiary hospital. Participants received seven
weekly sessions with a trained practitioner. The intervention was based on existing modular
treatments and evidence-based self-help materials. Feasibility and treatment satisfaction were
assessed, as well as measures of symptoms of anxiety and challenging behaviour, treatment goals,
and quality of life, at baseline, during treatment, and six-month follow-up. /
Results: Five participants
received treatment for challenging behaviour, one for anxiety, and one for obsessive compulsive
disorder. All participants completed treatment. Clinically significant change in the SDQ Total score
was found in three participants. All participants demonstrated progress in goals and symptoms of
emotional and behavioural difficulties over the course of treatment. /
Conclusions: Low-intensity
psychological interventions for emotional and behavioural difficulties in children and young people
with genetic conditions is feasible, acceptable, and potentially beneficial. Further research is
warranted to examine the effectiveness of the intervention and its use in clinical paediatric settings