The implementation of a school-based face to face group intervention for young people with Adverse Childhood Experiences in Wales: a feasibility study protocol

Background Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic experiences occurring before the age of 18, such as experiencing child maltreatment, or living with a person with a mental health condition. Young people exposed to ACEs face an increased risk of health problems both at time of exposure and after the experience. Early intervention to develop emotional coping skills for those living through adverse experiences can be beneficial. The EASE (Early Adolescents Skills for Emotions) is a group intervention for young people who have experienced adversity, suitable for delivery by non-clinicians such as teachers. This study will report an implementation protocol for assessing the feasibility, retention and acceptability of the EASE intervention in order to inform the development of a larger efficacy trial. Methods This study is a single-arm, open-label, pilot trial. A total of 20 children and their caregivers will be recruited from two school sites. Participants will attend a seven-session group intervention which includes elements of mindfulness and behaviour activation. Participants’ caregivers also attend three concurrent sessions. To assess feasibility, we will examine recruitment, retention and participation rates: Can 16-20 families in 2 schools be recruited, and do 14 remain to the end with 50% or more of sessions attended? Participants will also complete a measure of internalising distress at baseline and post-intervention, with no long-term follow up. Acceptability will be evaluated through qualitative interviews post-intervention. Discussion This study will establish the feasibility of a novel intervention aimed at promoting coping strategies and reducing internalising distress amongst young people who have experienced ACEs. The EASE intervention will be modified through stakeholder feedback and optimised for the Welsh context. Evidence from this study will be useful to families, school staff and healthcare professionals in supporting adolescent mental health and will serve as a model for a future trial to examine efficacy of the proposed intervention. ISRCTN study registration number: ISRCTN91291368.