Effective components of childhood self-esteem interventions

ISRCTN ISRCTN53113493
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN53113493
Secondary identifying numbers 2017-CDE-8097
Submission date
15/05/2020
Registration date
19/05/2020
Last edited
04/10/2022
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

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

Contact information

Ms Brechtje de Mooij
Scientific

University of Amsterdam
Nieuwe Achtergracht 127
Amsterdam
1018WS
Netherlands

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0002-0569-3913
Phone +31622915656
Email L.S.deMooij@uva.nl
Mr Minne Fekkes
Scientific

Schipholweg 77
Leiden
2316ZL
Netherlands

Phone +31 634056595
Email minne.fekkes@tno.nl

Study information

Study designRandomized three-arm micro-trial with four measurement occasions
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised parallel trial
Study setting(s)School
Study typePrevention
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet
Scientific titleDo cognitive restructuring and psychophysical exercises enhance children’s self-esteem? A micro-trial into intervention components.
Study objectivesThis 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(s)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
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedNon-clinical low self-esteem
InterventionSchools 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 typeBehavioural
Primary outcome measureAll 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 measuresAll 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 study start date01/01/2017
Completion date31/03/2019

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Other
Age groupChild
Lower age limit8 Years
Upper age limit12 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants156 split between three arms
Total final enrolment186
Key inclusion criteria8- 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
Key exclusion criteria1. No signs of low self-esteem
2. Participation in another social-emotional skills intervention
3. Insufficient mastery of Dutch language
Date of first enrolment01/05/2017
Date of final enrolment31/08/2018

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Netherlands

Study participating centre

University of Amsterdam
Research Institute of Child Development and Education
Nieuwe Achtergracht 127
Amsterdam
1018WS
Netherlands

Sponsor information

University of Amsterdam
University/education

Nieuwe Achtergracht 127
Amsterdam
1018WS
Netherlands

Phone +3120 525 5820
Email L.S.deMooij@uva.nl
Website https://www.uva.nl/en
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/04dkp9463

Funders

Funder type

Research organisation

Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development
Private sector organisation / Other non-profit organizations
Alternative name(s)
Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development
Location
Netherlands

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date01/08/2020
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot expected to be made available
Publication and dissemination planPlanned 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 planThe 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.

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Protocol file 28/09/2022 No No
Thesis results 22/04/2021 28/09/2022 No No

Additional files

ISRCTN53113493_PROTOCOL_2.pdf

Editorial Notes

04/10/2022: Total final enrolment added.
28/09/2022: Uploaded protocol (not peer reviewed) and added link to thesis.
19/05/2020: Trial’s existence confirmed by University of Amsterdam.