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The Impact of a Harry Potter-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Skills Curriculum on Suicidality and Well-being in Middle Schoolers: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Klim-Conforti, Paula; Zaheer, Rabia; Levitt, Anthony J; Cheung, Amy H; Schachar, Russell; Schaffer, Ayal; Goldstein, Benjamin I; Fefergrad, Mark; Niederkrotenthaler, Thomas; Sinyor, Mark.
  • Klim-Conforti P; Member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
  • Zaheer R; Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada.
  • Levitt AJ; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Psychiatrist, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada.
  • Cheung AH; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Psychiatrist, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada.
  • Schachar R; The Hospital for Sick Children. Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Canada.
  • Schaffer A; Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Canada.
  • Goldstein BI; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Psychiatrist, The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada.
  • Fefergrad M; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Psychiatrist, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada.
  • Niederkrotenthaler T; Medical University of Vienna, Centre for Public Health, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Unit Suicide Research and Mental Health Promotion.
  • Sinyor M; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Psychiatrist, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada. Electronic address: mark.sinyor@sunnybrook.ca.
J Affect Disord ; 286: 134-141, 2021 05 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1131431
ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the impact of a Harry Potter-based mental health literacy curriculum, imparting cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) skills, on suicidality and well-being in middle-schoolers.

METHODS:

Students (aged 11-14; grades 7-8) who received a 3-month teacher-delivered intervention embedded in the language arts curriculum (N=200) were compared to a wait-list control group (N=230) in the largest urban school board in Canada. Suicidality defined as a composite measure of self-reported suicidal ideation and attempts [primary outcome], self-reported emotion dysregulation, interpersonal chaos, confusion about self, and impulsivity [Life Problems Inventory (LPI)] and self-reported depression and anxiety symptoms [Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS)] were the outcomes of interest. Measurements occurred prior to and after curriculum delivery with independent t-tests used to compare mean change scores between groups clustered by class.

RESULTS:

Thirty-seven English teachers in 46 classes across 15 schools comprised the planned study cohort. Composite suicidality scores were significantly worse in the control than intervention group at endpoint (0.05±0.54 vs. 0.17±0.47, t= -2.60, df=428, p=0.01). There were also significant improvements in LPI and RCADS scores in the intervention group compared to controls (LPI-3.74±7.98 vs. 1.16±10.77 t=5.28, df=428, p<.001; RCADS (-3.08±5.49 vs. -1.51±6.53 t=2.96, df=429, p=0.01). Sub-analyses revealed that these improvements were largely driven by a significant difference in scores in girls.

LIMITATIONS:

Sample size constraints as study terminated prematurely during COVID pandemic.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study demonstrates significant improvement in suicidality, emotional regulation, self-concept, interpersonal difficulties, depression and anxiety in youth, particularly girls following this intervention. Replication studies in larger samples are needed to confirm these results.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / COVID-19 / Suicide Prevention Type of study: Cohort study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adolescent / Child / Female / Humans Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: J Affect Disord Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.jad.2021.02.028

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / COVID-19 / Suicide Prevention Type of study: Cohort study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adolescent / Child / Female / Humans Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: J Affect Disord Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.jad.2021.02.028