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An online intervention for 18–25-year-old youth whose parents have a mental illness and/or substance use disorder : A pilot randomized controlled trial
Maybery, Darryl Reupert, Andrea Bartholomew, Catherine Cuff, Rose Duncan, Zoe McAuliffe, Caitlin McLean, Louise Pettenuzzo, Laura Swing, Alice Foster, Kim
Maybery, Darryl
Reupert, Andrea
Bartholomew, Catherine
Cuff, Rose
Duncan, Zoe
McAuliffe, Caitlin
McLean, Louise
Pettenuzzo, Laura
Swing, Alice
Foster, Kim
Abstract
Aim
Young adults aged 18–25 whose parents have a mental illness or substance use problem can be vulnerable to multiple difficulties in adulthood. There are, however, few available interventions designed for this group. This study evaluated a 6 week online intervention (mi. spot; mental illness: supported, preventative, online, targeted) specifically designed for this population. The intervention aims to improve mental health and wellbeing.
Methods
Forty-one young people, recruited from the community, participated in a two-arm parallel randomized controlled trial where participants were randomized to mi. spot (n = 22) or a wait list control group (n = 19). They were assessed at baseline, immediately post intervention and at six weeks post intervention with measures covering depression, anxiety and stress, wellbeing, coping, general self-efficacy, help seeking and social connectedness.
Results
Intervention participants reported significantly improved psychological wellbeing, coping, general self-efficacy, and a reduction in anxiety. Participants in the control group reported significant improvements in emotional wellbeing and help seeking and a reduction in self-blame.
Conclusion
This pilot controlled trial supported previous findings and shows preliminary evidence that mi.spot is effective for young adults who grew up with parents who have a mental illness or substance use problem. A large-scale, randomized controlled trial with a diverse group of young people is needed.
Keywords
early intervention, mental health, parental mental illness, young adults
Date
2022
Type
Journal article
Journal
Early Intervention in Psychiatry
Book
Volume
16
Issue
11
Page Range
1249-1258
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
License
CC BY-NC 4.0
File Access
Open