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Completed

NCT Number: NCT00071513

Middle School to High School Transition Project: Depression and Substance Abuse Prevention

This study will implement a school-based program to prevent depression, academic failure, and substance use in at-risk adolescents transitioning from middle school to high school.

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Key information

Conditions

Depression Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Chemically-Induced Disorders Mental Disorders Substance-Related Disorders

Age range

12 year–15 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 1

Primary location

University of Washington

Seattle, Washington, 98195, United States

About this study

The transition from middle school to high school presents important challenges for adolescents. Programs that enhance personal efficacy and social support resources may prevent at-risk students from developing behaviors that can lead to substance use, academic failure, and depression. This study will implement a skills-based program called Coping and Support Training for the Transition (CAST-T) as a preventive intervention for at-risk students.

At-risk students in eighth grade will be randomly assigned to receive either CAST-T or school as usual. The CAST-T program will initially be delivered in twelve sessions over 6 weeks in the middle school setting. The program includes booster sessions, case management, structured home-based parent education, and support and skills training throughout the transition period. Participants will be assessed from the beginning of eighth grade to the end of ninth grade. Vulnerability to academic problems and depression will be assessed with school records and self-report scale scores.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • At-risk for substance abuse, academic failure, and depression
  • Enrolled in eighth grade in Seattle Public Schools
  • English-speaking

Exclusion criteria

  • Score above the clinical cutoff on the Youth Self Report Aggressive subscale

Treatment and study plan

CAST-T/HSTS

Behavioral

Skills training small group.

Brief intervention

Behavioral

Assessment of needs and referral to services as needed.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Short Moods and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ)

    Time frame: Baseline to 18 months

    The Short Moods and Feelings Questionnaire is a 13 item measure of level of self reported depressive symptoms. Each item in scored on a 3-point Likert scale as follows: "True" (0), "Sometimes" (1), and "Not True" (2) rated within the timeframe of the previous two weeks. A total score is obtained; scores can range from 0 to 26. Total scores of 12 or higher may signify that a child/adolescent is suffering from depression. Higher scores on this scale suggest a worse outcome or greater endorsement of depressive symptoms. Change is measured based on two time points baseline to the 18 months follow-up assessment.

Secondary outcomes

  1. School Attachment

    Time frame: 18 months

    School attachment measure consisted of 4 items. Item responses range from 0 (unsatisfied, rarely attended, not involved, etc.) to 6 (highly satisfied, regularly attended, very involved, etc). Scores could range from 0 to 36 with higher scores indicating more positive school attachment. Item were:

    My overall satisfaction with classes was… Overall, how safe did school feel last semester… Overall, how friendly did school feel… How involved were you in school activities…

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Washington

Other

Collaborators

  • National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Registry information

Official study title

Middle School to High School Transition Project

Acronym: CAST-T/HSTS

Important dates

Study start
2003
Primary completion
2007
Study completion
2007
First posted
Oct 28, 2003
Registry last updated
Aug 17, 2016

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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