The effectiveness of computerised cognitive behavioural therapy with mentoring for mood and behaviour among youth offenders.

INTERVENTION: Intervention: Treatment as usual plus 'SPARX‐R' computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (cCBT). Treatment as usual is the Mentoring Youth New Directions programme (MYND). This is a rehabilitation programme for youth offenders provided by the Foundation for Youth Development in New Zealand. SPARX‐R is a seven module computer‐administered cognitive behavioural therapy (cCBT) programme. It is a revised version of SPARX (a tested seven module computer‐administered cCBT program for adolescent depression), with minor wording modifications to minimise labelling of depression and to be more acceptable by the target population. Participants will complete SPARX‐R during their usual MYND programme hours, at a rate of approx. one to two 30 minute modules a week for seven weeks, alongside or under the supervision of their MYND social worker. CONDITION: Antisocial thinking and behaviour Symptoms of depression PRIMARY OUTCOME: Antisocial Cognitions, measured by mean score on the 'How I Think' (HIT)questionnaire. ; ; Mean score on the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale (RADS‐2) for those with depressive symptoms (using the RADS‐2 or CDRS‐R) at baseline. ; SECONDARY OUTCOME: Mean score on the Childrens Depression Rating Scale Revised (CDRS‐R) for those with depressive symptoms(using the RADS‐2 or the CDRS‐R) at baseline. ; Satisfaction with SPARX‐R ; ; Using a one page Pen and paper questionnaire with likert scale options. Self reported help seeking intentions. This outcome is assessed by 3 2 part questions constructed for the purposes of this trial. The items have been developed from questions included in the New Zealand adolescent health survey, Youth12, after review of the literature and consultation with MYND staff members and with an academic in the help seeking area. The items have been subject to cognitive testing with MYND participants. These are the items: ; ; If you were down or depressed (sad, empty or angry & not enjoying things for weeks) would you try to get help from: ; ; An adult in your family? ; ; An adult who works with you (like a social worker, youth worker, teacher or doctor)? ; ; If you were suicidal (wanting to killing yourself or seriously thinking about it) would you try to get help from: ; ; An adult in your family? ; ; An adult who works with you (like a social worker, youth worker, teacher or doctor)? ; ; If you were feeling like you might physically hurt someone else would you try to get help from: ; ; An adult who works with you (like a social worker, youth worker, teacher or doctor)? ; ; Response options for each item are: ; Never ; Sometimes ; Often ; Always ; ; The questions are delivered as a brief pen and paper questionnaire. Self reported physically aggressive behaviours in the last 10 weeks (in a serious physical fight; physcailly hurt someone else on purpose; carried a weapon such as a knife). ; This outcome is assessed a brief pen and paper questionnaire constructed for the purposes of this trial. ; These are the questions ; 3 In the last 10 weeks how many times have you: ; ; Got in to a serious physical fight? ; Never 1 time 2 times 3+ ; ; Physically hurt someone else on purpose? ; ; Never 1 time 2 times 3+ ; ; Carried a weapon such as a knife? ; Never 1 time 2 times 3+ ; ; mean score on the Beck Anger Scale 2. They are able to provide written consent. 4. They have sufficient English language ability to understand the programme. ; These questions have been adapted from the New Zealand adolescent health survey, Youth'12. The questions have been reviewed by MYND staff and participants and advisors at the University of Auckland INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Adolescents who are required to attend MYND for a minimum of 10 weeks as per court or Child Youth and Family instruction (These are 14‐17 year old males who are identifed by the New Zealand Court or Child Youth and Family as recividist offenders). 3. For those who are under the age of 16, their parents/ guardians have been informed about the study and have not advised MYND staff or the research team that they do not want their child involved.