Problem Management Plus With Emotional Processing (PM+EP) for Forcibly Displaced Youth

Launched by KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET · Mar 10, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a program called Problem Management Plus with Emotional Processing (PM+EP) to see if it helps young people who have been forcibly displaced, such as refugees or asylum seekers, cope with psychological distress and traumatic stress in Sweden. The goal is to find out if this program is easy to use and acceptable for these young people, and to explore a new approach that targets trauma-related issues. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the PM+ program, the PM+EP program, or standard treatment, with six weekly sessions planned.

To be eligible for the trial, participants must be between 16 and 25 years old, have arrived in Sweden since 2015 due to displacement, and show signs of psychological distress. They will be assessed for their mental health and wellbeing at the start of the study, one week after finishing the program, and again three weeks later. It's important to note that individuals with severe medical issues, immediate risks of suicide, or those currently receiving specialized mental health treatment will not be included in the trial. This study aims to help improve mental health support for displaced youth and better understand their needs.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 16 to 25 year old youth who arrived in Sweden in 2015 or later due to being forcibly displaced;
• • Elevated levels of psychological distress as determined through the Kessler-10 psychological distress scale (K10; K10 \> 15);
• • Reduced levels of psychosocial functioning as measured by the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0; WHODAS 2.0 \> 16);
• • Assessment and manual are available in their preferred language, including Swedish.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • An acute medical condition;
• • Imminent suicide risk;
• • Indication of psychotic disorders and substance-dependence;
• • Indication of severe cognitive or neurological impairment;
• • Receiving specialized mental health treatment;
• • In case of current psychotropic medication used: change in dosage during the past two months.