Helping Teenagers Manage Emotions and Relationship Problems

Thank you for your interest in this study. Recruitment is now closed.

If you would like us to let you know if we have a similar trial in the future, please email the research team.

A randomised trial of two cognitive-behavioural group therapy programs

Aim

The aim of this research is to compare the effectiveness of the Teen Connect Triple P program and The Blues Program, in helping teenagers manage emotions and relationship problems (like bullying).

Teen Connect Triple P is a family group therapy program that aims to help teenagers manage difficulties with their peers and manage emotions. It also supports parents to better help their teenagers. Teenagers participate in small groups with other teenagers; their parents participate in small groups with other parents.

The Blues Program is a group therapy program. It teaches teenagers skills to manage difficult emotions and improve how they feel. Teenagers participate in small groups with other teenagers; there are no parent sessions.

Participation involves

  • The teenager and their parent each completing an online questionnaire before taking part in one of the group therapy programs in the research trial, and then completing the online questionnaire again after the program. 
  • Random assignment of each family to a program (by a computer)
  • Teenagers attend 6 weekly group sessions of 90-minute duration in both conditions (Teen Connect Triple P or The Blues Program)
  • Parents attend 6 weekly group sessions of 90-minute duration (in the Teen Connect Triple P condition only)

Important information

  • Participation is voluntary.
  • There is no financial cost to participation in either program.
  • Both programs will be conducted online (through Zoom) in small groups, facilitated by a therapist.
  • Sessions will be scheduled out of school hours.

Eligibility criteria

We are looking for families of teenagers in which the teenager and a parent are interested to take part in a group therapy program. To be eligible for involvement:

  • The teenager needs to be enrolled in a secondary school in Australia (Year 7 to 12)
  • The teenager is experiencing problems in their peer relationships.
  • Both the parent and the teenager agree to participate in the program and online assessments.
  • The family has the required technology and internet access to participate in an online program.

Data handling

All information collected for this research will be kept in strictest confidence by the project investigators. All questionnaires will be completed online and transferred to a data set that includes no identifying information. The research will report pooled results only; no families will be identifiable.

How can I participate?

If you are interested in taking part in this study and/or would like more information, please provide your contact information in the enquiries box below. A member of the research team will be in touch to discuss your family’s suitability for participation in the study, and whether the project is of interest to your family.

You can also email the research team here cymh@qimrberghofer.edu.au