Cluster randomised controlled trial of an indicated occupational therapy group intervention for children aged 11-13 years, designed to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and improve self-esteem and participation
“I conducted a cluster randomised controlled trial evaluating a school-based intervention for promoting mental wellbeing in intermediate school aged children. I was motivated to work with this age group in particular, because most resources seem to focus on either younger children, or those at high school. Yet, the evidence suggested building self-esteem, and coping skills for wellbeing, before adolescence, was a significant protective factor for mental wellbeing later on.
The Foundation supported with this research with a grant that enabled me to conduct the trial to a high standard, enabling me to be more responsive to the needs of schools I was working with and ensuring the right materials and resources were available.
While the intervention was not shown to be as effective as we had hoped, there were many great learnings and opportunities that came from this. Firstly, it identified the importance of embedding strategies into the classroom and working in collaboration with teachers, rather than providing “pull-out” interventions. This led to collaborations with an international expert in this area who we were able to bring over to Aotearoa to run free workshops around the motu, about building workforce capacity in taking a public health approach to children’s mental health. This resulted in future research exploring the acceptability of that initiative in our bicultural context.
The Foundation support was significant on this journey in two key ways. Financially, it enabled the research to be conducted to a high standard. Secondly, the support validated my aspirations to explore this area of practice and to seek out further opportunities moving forwards.”
