RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07365891

Recognizing Emotional Neglect and Help-Seeking Intention Among Adolescents in Brussels

Help-Seeking Behavior in Cases of Emotional Neglect: The Decision-Making Process of Adolescents in Dutch-Speaking Secondary Education in Brussels

Sponsor

Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Enrollment

500 participants

Start Date

Feb 23, 2026

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Help-Seeking Behavior Emotional Neglect Healthy Adolescents in School-based Population

Summary

The goal of this study is to find out how well adolescents in Dutch-speaking secondary schools in Brussels can recognize emotional neglect, and how this relates to their intention to seek help. The main research questions are: 1. How well do adolescents recognize situations of emotional neglect, and do boys and girls differ in their recognition? 2. Does recognition of emotional neglect predict adolescents' intention to seek help? This study is conducted through an online survey. Participants will read one of four short written stories about an adolescent experiencing emotional neglect. The stories vary by gender (boy or girl) and by the clarity of the neglect (clear or ambiguous). After reading, participants answer questions about the story, including their thoughts and how they might respond in a similar situation. They also answer questions about their own experiences and attitudes toward help-seeking.

Eligibility

Min Age: 11 YearsMax Age: 25 Years

Inclusion Criteria5

Age: adolescents aged 11-25 years;
Education: enrolled in regular full-time secondary education;
School location: Brussels-Capital Region;
School language: Dutch;
Consent: informed consent provided by the adolescent and their parent(s)/guardian.

Exclusion Criteria5

Age: younger than 11 years or older than 25 years;
Education: not enrolled in regular full-time secondary education;
School location: outside the Brussels-Capital Region;
School language: non - Dutch-speaking;
Consent: informed consent not provided by the adolescent or their parent(s)/guardian.

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALEmotional neglect vignettes

Participants are randomly assigned to one of four written vignettes of adolescents experiencing emotional neglect. Each vignette differs by gender (boy or girl) and by situation clarity (ambiguous or clear).