Problem Management Plus With Emotional Processing (PM+EP) for Forcibly Displaced Youth
This study tests a new psychological treatment program called Problem Management Plus with Emotional Processing (PM+EP) designed to help young people who have been forced to leave their homes deal with stress and emotional difficulties. Researchers will compare this treatment to standard care to see if it works well and if young people find it acceptable and helpful.
Key Objective: This trial tests whether PM+EP can reduce psychological distress and help young people process traumatic experiences in a way that is practical and can be easily shared with others.
Who to Consider: Forcibly displaced youth experiencing psychological distress who are interested in trying a new psychological intervention alongside standard care should consider enrolling.
Trial Parameters
Brief Summary
The goal of this feasibility randomized controlled trial is to learn about the feasibility and acceptability of scalable psychological interventions in Sweden. It will also allow for a preliminary exploration of a novel modular addition targeting traumatic stress to Problem Management Plus (PM+), an evidence-based transdiagnostic psychological intervention for psychological distress. The main question it aims to answer is whether PM+ and PM+ Emotion Processing (PM+EP) feasible and acceptable among forcibly displaced youth in Sweden? Participants will be randomized to receive PM+, PM+EP, or treatment as usual. The two intervention arms consist of a weekly session for six weeks. Assessments will collect data on a variety of psychological symptoms, wellbeing, and service use throughout the duration of the study. Assessments will take place at baseline, 1-week post-intervention, and 3-weeks post-intervention.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 16 to 25 year old youth who arrived in Sweden in 2015 or later due to being forcibly displaced; * Elevated levels of psychological distress as determined through the Kessler-10 psychological distress scale (K10; K10 \> 15); * Reduced levels of psychosocial functioning as measured by the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0; WHODAS 2.0 \> 16); * Assessment and manual are available in their preferred language, including Swedish. Exclusion Criteria: * An acute medical condition; * Imminent suicide risk; * Indication of psychotic disorders and substance-dependence; * Indication of severe cognitive or neurological impairment; * Receiving specialized mental health treatment; * In case of current psychotropic medication used: change in dosage during the past two months.