Pilot RCT of a family program for reducing bullying victimisation and mental illness of adolescents

INTERVENTION: The design is a randomised controlled trial with two arms. The intervention arm is a novel cognitive behavioural intervention designed for this study; it aims to strengthen the adolescent’s supportive relationships (Teen Connect Triple P; TCTP). We will be using an active control condition; the Blues Program is an existing cognitive behavioural program typical of those used in Australian mental health clinics for adolescents with symptoms of depression and anxiety. Both arms will be delivered by therapists enrolled in advanced post‐graduate clinical psychology training under the supervision of endorsed Clinical Psychologists. The interventions will be delivered online via Zoom. Participants will be in their own homes and therapists will be located at either The University of Queensland or QIMR Berghofer. Interventions consist of six weekly therapist‐led group sessions of 1.5 hours each. Each adolescent will participate in a group with 5 other adolescents. Altogether, there will be 7 groups of TCTP and 7 groups of the Blues Program. In TCTP, parents will also participate (also in groups of 6) in parallel sessions to their teenagers. Adolescents and their parents participate in separate streams focusing on reciprocal social and emotional skills. Adolescents learn how to strengthen friendships, interpret motives of peers, address issues calmly and assertively, resolve conflicts and seek help from their parents when needed. Parents learn how to support their adolescent’s friendships, listen to their adolescent’s concerns (without over‐reacting or taking over), help their adolescent interpret peer motives, coach their adolescent in managing problems, and support their adolescents in making decisions and becoming independent. In each session, therapists educate partici CONDITION: Adolescent bullying victimisation;Adolescent mental illness; ; Adolescent bullying victimisation ; Adolescent mental illness Mental Health ‐ Other mental health disorders PRIMARY OUTCOME: Adolescent depression (adolescent report)[This will be measured at 0 and 3 months through the Patient Health Questionnaire (adolescent version) with adolescents as respondents. ] Adolescent distress[Adolescent Distress will be measured at 0 and 3 months through the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (adolescent report)] Bullying victimisation of adolescents by peers (adolescent report)[Bullying victimisation will be measured at 0 and 3 months by the Bullying and Cyberbullying Scale for Adolescents (answered by adolescents) ] ; ; ] Global victimisation of adolescent by peers (parent report)[Global Bullying victimisation will be measured at 0 and 3 months through the Olweus Global Victimisation question asked with respect to peers (parent report) ; INCLUSION CRITERIA: To be eligible to participate in this study. The family must meet all of the following criteria: (1) An adolescent/child enrolled in an Australian school in Years 7‐12 (ages 11‐19 years) (2) In the initial screening interview, the parent’s score is in the elevated (borderline) range for both the Peer Problems (i.e. a score of 3/10 or higher) and the Emotional problems subscale (i.e. a score of 4/10 or higher) of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (a standard screening instrument) SECONDARY OUTCOME: Adolescent depression (parent report)[This will be measured at 0 and 3 months through the Patient Health Questionnaire (adolescent version), with parents as respondents.] Bullying behaviour by adolescent towards peers (adolescent report)[Bullying behaviour by the adolescent will be measured by the Olweus Global Bullying question asked with respect to peers (with adolescents as respondents)] Bullying behaviour by adolescent towards peers (parent report)[Bullying behaviour by the adolescent towards peers will be measured by the Olweus Global Bullying question asked with respect to peers (with parents as respondents)] Bullying behaviour by adolescent towards siblings (adolescent report)[Bullying behaviour by the adolescent towards siblings will be measured by the Olweus Global Bullying question asked with respect to peers (with adolescents as respondents)] Bullying behaviour by adolescent towards siblings (parent report)[Bullying behaviour by the adolescent towards siblings will be measured by the Olweus Global Bullying question asked with respect to siblings (with parents as respondents)] Emotional symptoms of adolescent (adolescent report)[Emotional symptoms will be measured at 0 and 3months through the Emotional Problems subscale of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire with adolescents as respondents] Emotional symptoms of adolescent (parent report)[Emotional symptoms of adolescents will be measured at 0 and 3months through the Emotional Problems subscale of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (with parents) as respondents] Facilitative parenting[Facilitative parenting (parenting that is supportive of children's peer relationships) will be measured at 0 months and 3 months using the Facilitative Parenting Scale, with parents as respondents.] Global victimisation of adolescent by peers (adolescent report)[Global bullying victimisation will be measured at 0 and 3 months through the Olweus Global Victimisation question asked with respect to peers (reported by adolescents) (3) The parent reports they have access to the minimal technology (a phone or computer with a camera and microphone and reliable internet access), that will allow participation in online sessions through Zoom. ; ] Global victimisation of adolescent by siblings (adolescent report)[Global Bullying victimisation will be measured at 0 and 3 months through the Olweus Global Victimisation question asked with respect to siblings (reported by adolescents)] Global victimisation of adolescent by siblings (parent report)[Global Bullying victimisation will be measured at 0 and 3 months through the Olweus Global Victimisation question asked with respect to siblings (reported by parents)] Parent distress[Parent Distress will be measured at 0 and 3 months through the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (parent report)] Parent‐adolescent conflict (adolescent report)[Parent‐adolescent conflict will be measured at 0 months and 3 months using the Conflict Behaviour Questionnaire (with adolescents as respondents)] Parent‐adolescent conflict (parent report)[Parent‐adolescent conflict will be measured at 0 months and 3 months using the Conflict Behaviour Questionnaire (with parents as respondents)] Peer problems (adolescent report)[Peer problems will be measured by the Peer problems subscale of the Strengths and Difficulties questionnaire at 0 months and 3 months (with adolescents as respondents)] Peer problems (parent report)[Peer problems will be measured by the Peer problems subscale of the Strengths and Difficulties questionnaire at 0 months and 3 months (with parents as respondents)] Social support of adolescent[Social support of adolescents will be measured at 0 months and 3 months using the Multidimensional Scale of Social Support (perceived support from family, friends, significant others), with adolescents as respondents.]