Multi-level Child Mental Health Interventions in Azerbaijan

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO · Jan 16, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on improving the mental health of children aged 7 to 14 from low-income families in Azerbaijan. The study will test three different approaches to help children who may be struggling with issues like depression, anxiety, or behavioral problems. These approaches include strengthening family relationships, providing support for trauma, and offering financial help through Child Savings Accounts. The researchers aim to find out which combination of these methods works best to support the mental well-being of the children involved.

To participate, children must be between 7 and 14 years old and at risk for mental health problems, meaning they show signs of emotional or behavioral difficulties, or their parents are experiencing significant stress or emotional issues. Families who join the study will work closely with the research team and could help identify the most effective strategies for improving children's mental health. It's important to note that children with severe cognitive or behavioral impairments that could prevent them from benefiting from the program will not be included in the study.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. The child is between ages 7 and 14;
• 2. The child is at-risk for mental health problems as measured by one of the following criteria:
• • 1. Elevated child emotional behavioral problems as indexed by 'high' or 'very high' scores on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ, total difficulty score or any of the four difficulty subscales - emotional, conduct, hyperactivity, or peer problems); OR
• • 2. Parental risk factor - parental elevated emotional distress, as indexed by 'severe' or 'extremely severe" score on any of the DASS-21 subscales (DASS-21 Stress = 27; Anxiety = 15; or Depression = 15);
• • 3. The child and parent (or other primary caregiver) can commit to study participation.
• • If a family has more than one eligible child, participation in the study will be offered to the older child. If both the eligible child and caregiver provide consent, they will be enrolled in the study.
• • All eligible children within a family can be enrolled in the study.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Participants will be excluded from participation in the study if the child, the parent or the participating caregiver is assessed to have a cognitive impairment that would interfere with their ability to provide informed consent. This will be assessed during the consent process. As part of the informed consent process, conducted through an Azeri speaking research assistant, potential participants will also be asked to state their understanding of areas addressed during the informed consent discussion including (1) the nature and extent of participation in the study; (2) risks involved with participation; and (3) the potential benefits of participation in the study. If a participant is unable to respond to any of the three items, this youth/caregiver pair will be excluded from the study.
• • Children and parents will also be excluded if one of them has significant behavioral, and/or mental health impairment (e.g., development disorder, autism, psychosis, high symptoms of trauma or depression) that could interfere with either with their ability to benefit from the prevention program or to participate safely. Research Assistants will ask parents about any of these conditions during the screening process.