Citation

Weisz JR, Bearman SK, Ugueto AM, Herren JA, Evans SC, Cheron DM, Alleyne AR, Weissman AS, Tweed JL, Pollack AA, Langer DA, Southam-Gerow MA, Wells KC, Jensen-Doss A. J. Clin. Child Adolesc. Psychol. 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, University of Miami.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15374416.2019.1655757

PMID

31517543

Abstract

A critical task in psychotherapy research is identifying the conditions within which treatment benefits can be replicated and outside of which those benefits are reduced. We tested the robustness of beneficial effects found in two previous trials of the modular Child STEPs treatment program for youth anxiety, depression, trauma, and conduct problems. We conducted a randomized trial, with two significant methodological changes from previous trials: (a) shifting from cluster- to person-level randomization, and (b) shifting from individual to more clinically feasible group-based consultation with STEPs therapists. Fifty community clinicians from multiple outpatient clinics were randomly assigned to receive training and consultation in STEPs (n = 25) or to provide usual care (UC; n = 25). There were 156 referred youths-ages 6-16 (M = 10.52, SD = 2.53); 48.1% male; 79.5% Caucasian, 12.8% multiracial, 4.5% Black, 1.9% Latino, 1.3% Other-who were randomized to STEPs (n = 77) or UC (n = 79). Following previous STEPs trials, outcome measures included parent- and youth-reported internalizing, externalizing, total, and idiographic top problems, with repeated measures collected weekly during treatment and longer term over 2 years. Participants in both groups showed statistically significant improvement on all measures, leading to clinically meaningful problem reductions. However, in contrast to previous trials, STEPs was not superior to UC on any measure. As with virtually all treatments, the benefits of STEPs may depend on the conditions-for example, of study design and implementation support-in which it is tested. Identifying those conditions may help guide appropriate use of STEPs, and other treatments, in the future.

Language: en