RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT05526235

A Scalable Psychological Intervention to Reduce Psychological Distress Among Workers of Assisted Living Facilities

Reducing the Psychosocial Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Workers of Assisted Living Facilities

Sponsor

Fundació Sant Joan de Déu

Enrollment

150 participants

Start Date

Sep 27, 2022

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Psychological Distress Depression Anxiety

Summary

The current study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) that aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a stepped-care program (Doing What Matters \[DWM\] and Problem Management Plus \[PM+\]) in reducing anxiety and depression symptoms amongst long-term care workers (LTCWs), following changes in care due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 65 Years

Inclusion Criteria4

years or older;
Having elevated levels of psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) \>15.9).
Written/digital informed consent before entering the study.
Being a worker in a long-term care facility or a home care worker in the community of Catalonia.

Exclusion Criteria6

Having acute medical conditions (requiring hospitalization)
Imminent suicide risk, or expressed acute needs, or protection risks that require immediate follow-up
Having a severe mental disorder (e.g., psychotic disorders, substance-dependence)
Having severe cognitive impairment (e.g., severe intellectual disability or dementia)
Currently specialized psychological treatment (e.g., Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, Cognitive behavioral therapy)
In case of current psychotropic medication use, being on an unstable dose for at least 2 months.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALDoing What Matters (DWM)

The original DWM program consists of a self-help guide called 'Doing What Matters in Times of Stress', that is complemented with pre-recorded audio exercises. The audio material imparts key information about stress management and guides participants through individual exercises. Additionally, participants are guided by a briefly trained helper. In this study, DWM will be delivered as an online intervention. The DWM intervention, i.e. both the audio recordings and the self-help guide, has been adapted for use on a smartphone or other device with internet access. The format of DWM is innovative in that it seeks to ensure that key intervention components are delivered as intended through the use of pre-recorded audio, without the burden of extensive training and supervision. In the online application tool a new module is released every week so participants will be asked to go through the entire DWM intervention within 5 weeks with weekly guidance from a helper.

BEHAVIORALProblem Management Plus (PM+)

PM+ is a new, brief, psychological intervention program based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques. The manual involves the following empirically supported elements: problem solving plus stress management, behavioral activation, facing fears, and accessing social support. Across the five 90-minute sessions participants may talk to trained non-professional. PM+ has four core features, and it is brief. In this study, the delivery mode of the PM+ intervention will be flexible, with remote delivery in phases of the pandemic when physical distancing rules apply. This is a future-oriented attempt towards a more holistic mental health care system that can flexibly switch between modes of delivery (e.g. remotely (e.g. Zoom) or face-to), depending on the needs and the specific containment measures that apply, and the specific preferences and needs of the participant.

BEHAVIORALPsychological First Aid (PFA)

PFA is a brief intervention consisting of a 15-min call that assess the immediate concerns and needs of an individual in order to connect individuals to help and resources.