Mixed methods feasibility study of the Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions intervention in Lebanon

• In Event: Psychological Interventions to Improve Mental Health and Well-Being of Refugee Children living in Refugee Settlements

Abstract

Background: Globally, there is a vast mental health treatment gap, whereby the majority of individuals living in low and middle income countries requiring mental health services, do not have access adequate care. In order to overcome financial and human resource barriers to making care available, the World Health Organization is developing a range of interventions, designed to be low cost and delivered by non-specialists. We conducted a feasibility study of a new intervention- Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions (EASE) - in Lebanon, in order to determine the feasibility of implementing and study procedures for children with significant emotional distress.

Method: Adolescents were eligible to take part if they were aged between 10 to 14 years old, and indicated high emotional distress on a screening tool. A total of 155 adolescents were screened, and 67 were eligible and randomized. After completing a baseline assessment, 35 adolescents were randomized to receive the EASE intervention, while 32 were randomized to enhanced treatment as usual, which consisted of a single psychoeducation home visit session. EASE consists of 7 sessions with the young adolescents and 3 sessions with their caregivers. Outcomes on child and parent outcomes were measured at baseline, endline, and a three month follow up. Qualitative interviews were conducted with adolescents, caregivers, facilitators, trainers, and study staff at endline.

Results: Qualitative feedback from the intervention was overall positive, however several challenges were raised around logistics challenges, acceptability of assessment measures, and several suggestions for improvement were made. Implementation data highlighted challenges with intervention uptake, attendance, and retention. Outcome measures generally had strong psychometric properties, however did not indicate change over time in either group.

Conclusions: The EASE intervention and study is acceptable and feasible for implementation with vulnerable adolescents in Lebanon, however several improvements were made to intervention and research protocols prior to full scale evaluation.

Authors

• Felicity Brown, War Child Holland
  Presenting Author

• Mark J. D. Jordans, University of Amsterdam
  Non-Presenting Author

• Karine Taha, War Child
  Non-Presenting Author

• Frederik Steen, Other
  Non-Presenting Author

• May Aoun
  Non-Presenting Author