Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
Socials skills interventions for children and adolescents are widely available, and these interventions generally evaluated as complete program packages. Previous research has shown that social skills programs can be beneficial to children’s and adolescents’ social-emotional development. Still, at this moment, it is unclear which intervention components drive program effects. This study aims to assess the separate effects of cognitive restructuring exercises (i.e., transforming unhelpful thoughts into helpful ones) and psychophysical exercises (i.e., using body movement such as standing up straight to experience more positive cognitions) on children’s self-esteem. Findings from this study may inform intervention developers and practitioners when selecting which interventions to implement.
Who can participate?
Eight- to twelve-year-old children with low self-esteem
What does the study involve?
Schools are randomized into one of three conditions (i.e., cognitive restructuring, psychophysical, or no-treatment control condition) and children from grades four to six that reported lower self-perceived competence and assertiveness are invited to participate in a brief group intervention. 1 week before the start of the intervention, participants whose parents gave consent to participation completed the second measurement occasion. When the intervention is finished, participants complete another measurement occasions, and once more approximately 3 months after the intervention has finished.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There are no risks of participating in this study. The intervention is free to schools and participating children, and we expect the interventions to enhance children’s self-esteem.
Where is the study run from?
University of Amsterdam (Netherlands)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
January 2017 to March 2019
Who is funding the study?
ZonMw (Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development)
Who is the main contact?
Brechtje de Mooij, L.S.deMooij@uva.nl
Trial website
Contact information
Type
Scientific
Primary contact
Ms Brechtje de Mooij
ORCID ID
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0569-3913
Contact details
University of Amsterdam
Nieuwe Achtergracht 127
Amsterdam
1018WS
Netherlands
+31622915656
L.S.deMooij@uva.nl
Type
Scientific
Additional contact
Mr Minne Fekkes
ORCID ID
Contact details
Schipholweg 77
Leiden
2316ZL
Netherlands
+31 634056595
minne.fekkes@tno.nl
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
Nil known
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Nil known
Protocol/serial number
2017-CDE-8097
Study information
Scientific title
Do cognitive restructuring and psychophysical exercises enhance children’s self-esteem? A micro-trial into intervention components.
Acronym
Study hypothesis
This study intends to gain insight into the effectiveness of separate intervention components (i.e. cognitive restructuring and psychophysical exercises), which are included in multifaceted interventions to enhance children's self-esteem.
This study aims to answer two questions:
1. Is a brief group intervention with cognitive restructuring exercises effective in enhancing children’s self-esteem?; (ii) Is a brief group intervention with psychophysical exercises effective in enhancing children’s self-esteem?
2. Is there a difference in effectiveness between a brief group intervention with psychophysical exercises and with cognitive restructuring exercises?
Ethics approval
Approved 26/06/2017, Ethics Review Board of the University of Amsterdam, Department of Child Development and Education (University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 127, Amsterdam, 1018WS, Netherlands; +3120 525 6686; w.p.m.vandenwildenberg@uva.nl), ref: 2017-CDE-8097
Study design
Randomized three-arm micro-trial with four measurement occasions
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Randomised parallel trial
Trial setting
Schools
Trial type
Prevention
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet
Condition
Non-clinical low self-esteem
Intervention
Schools are randomized into a condition (i.e., cognitive restructuring condition, psychophysical condition or no-treatment control condition) and children from grades four to six that report experiencing lower self-esteem than the class average will be invited to participate in an intervention.
Schools are randomized into one of the three conditions using a random number generator. Randomization took place before inviting schools to participate in the study.
The interventions consist of four one-hour sessions, which are provided by certified professionals. Participants complete four measurement occasions: approximately five weeks before the start of the intervention, one week before the start of the intervention, one week after the intervention has ended and three months after the intervention has ended.
Three intervention modules will be assessed:
1. A module with cognitive restructuring exercises.
2. A module with psychophysical exercises.
3. No treatment
The modules were developed for the purpose of this study and were inspired by Dutch self-esteem interventions implemented by our clinical partners.
The cognitive restructuring module will consist of cognitive restructuring exercises only. The psychophysical module will consist of psychophysical exercises only from the Rock and Water program.
Intervention type
Behavioural
Phase
Drug names
Primary outcome measure
All measurements were used at all included measurement occasions ( approximately 5 weeks before the start of the intervention, 1 week before the start of the intervention, 1 week after the intervention has ended and 3 months after the intervention has ended)
1. Self-worth measured using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale
2. Self-perceived competence measured using Self-Perception Profile for Children
3. Self-efficacy measured using General Self-Efficacy Scale
Secondary outcome measures
All measurements were used at all included measurement occasions ( approximately 5 weeks before the start of the intervention, 1 week before the start of the intervention, 1 week after the intervention has ended and 3 months after the intervention has ended)
1. Automatic thoughts measured using the Children's Automatic Thoughts Scale-Negative/Positive
2. Social skills measured using the Social Skills Improvement System-Rating Scales
3. Assertiveness measured using the Social Skills Improvement System-Rating Scales
Overall trial start date
01/01/2017
Overall trial end date
31/03/2019
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
8- to 12-year-old children with low self-esteem compared to class levels, measured using the Self-Perception Scale for Children and the Social Skills Improvement System-Rating Scales-Assertiveness subscale
Participant type
Other
Age group
Child
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
156 split between three arms.
Participant exclusion criteria
1. No signs of low self-esteem
2. Participation in another social-emotional skills intervention
3. Insufficient mastery of Dutch language
Recruitment start date
01/05/2017
Recruitment end date
31/08/2018
Locations
Countries of recruitment
Netherlands
Trial participating centre
University of Amsterdam
Research Institute of Child Development and Education
Nieuwe Achtergracht 127
Amsterdam
1018WS
Netherlands
Sponsor information
Organisation
University of Amsterdam
Sponsor details
Nieuwe Achtergracht 127
Amsterdam
1018WS
Netherlands
+3120 525 5820
L.S.deMooij@uva.nl
Sponsor type
University/education
Website
Funders
Funder type
Research organisation
Funder name
Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development
Alternative name(s)
Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development
Funding Body Type
private sector organisation
Funding Body Subtype
other non-profit
Location
Netherlands
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
Planned publication in a high-impact-factor journal. This manuscript will also be part of a dissertation on the effective components of social skills training programs for children.
IPD sharing statement:
The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are not expected to be made available due to lack of consent to do so.
Intention to publish date
01/08/2020
Participant level data
Not expected to be available
Basic results (scientific)
Publication list