Using Adapted Dialectical Behavior Skills as Mental Health Prevention in Post-Earthquake Nepal: READY-Nepal Protocol for a Pilot Feasibility and Acceptability Trial

Detailed Summary

Published research on the development of mental health symptomatology among adolescents has expanded in recent years and indicates the presence of a growing public health concern. The 2015 earthquakes in Nepal are a risk factor for increased psychological distress across all age groups. Prior studies have also demonstrated high chronic risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) among adolescents in Nepal and throughout South Asia. Despite the need for mental health promotion interventions in Nepal, there is a lack of psychological treatments for suicide prevention that have been rigorously evaluated in Nepal. To address this gap, a trans diagnostic, emotion -focused mental health promotion intervention (Regulating Emotions through Adapted Dialectical behavior skills for Youth in Nepal; READY-Nepal) was developed for delivery in school-based settings. A pilot quasi-experimental trial utilizing a wait-list control group will be used to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention in a cohort of school -going adolescents in the Kathmandu Valley. Qualitative methodology will be used to augment quantitative findings via exploration of gender differences in perception and uptake of the program, program feasibility and acceptability, as well as changes in coping skills and explanatory models of stress between baseline and follow- up. This pilot study will aid in modifying the intervention to inform the development of a larger, adequately powered cluster randomized trial (CRT) of READY-Nepal.

Study Details

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Interventions