RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT05637320

Big Feelings: A Study on Children's Emotions in Therapy

Biobehavioural Regulation of Negative Emotion as a Transdiagnostic Mechanism of Children's Psychotherapy

Sponsor

University of Guelph

Enrollment

202 participants

Start Date

Oct 1, 2022

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Depressive Disorder Anxiety Disorders Mood Disorders Child Behavior Disorders Conduct Disorder Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders Oppositional Defiant Disorder Regulation, Emotion

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about how psychotherapy works for children and adolescents aged 8 - 15 with anxiety, depression, trauma, or disruptive behaviour. The main question it aims to answer is: • Is the biobehavioural regulation of negative emotion a transdiagnostic mechanism of treatment response in psychotherapy for children with anxiety, depression, trauma and/or disruptive behaviour? Children and their parents will be randomly assigned to an evidence-based, transdiagnostic treatment (the Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Conduct Problems; MATCH-ADTC) or a waitlist control condition. Participants in both groups will complete a baseline assessment, weekly measures consisting of brief symptom scales and medication tracking, and quarterly assessments every 3 months. Following the intervention/waitlist period, our team will conduct post-test assessments. All assessments, except for the weekly surveys, will consist of symptom scales, clinical interviews, experimental tasks and physiological measures.

Eligibility

Min Age: 8 YearsMax Age: 15 Years

Inclusion Criteria3

Child must be between the ages of 8 and 15 years old and have English proficiency
Parents must be over the age of 18 and have English proficiency
Must be seeking psychosocial treatment for concerns related to anxiety, depression, or disruptive behaviours

Exclusion Criteria4

Child has low cognitive functioning that would prevent active participation in research tasks
Child reports active suicidality that requiring acute care or hospital intervention
Child meets criteria for psychosis, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, eating disorders or autism spectrum disorders
Child does not assent to participate in the study

Interventions

BEHAVIORALModular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma or Conduct Problems

The intervention arm will consist of a transdiagnostic psychotherapy program: The Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, or Conduct Problems (MATCH-ADTC). MATCH draws from various domains of evidence-based treatment and consists of 33 treatment modules. There are several core module sequences for problem areas such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and disruptive behavior, and a clinician can utilize these sequences based on the primary concern of the presenting child. If an individual reports additional stressors or comorbid conditions, the clinician can modify the sequence of the modules to address these comorbidities. MATCH treatment is flexible and is tailored for each individual client.