Pilot Study of Adapted Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions EASE to Help Urban Youth and Caregivers in New York City

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate the local implementation of the Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions EASE program, originally developed by the World Health Organization WHO, focused on addressing psychological distress in urban youth aged 10 to 15 years. The study examines the programs acceptability, feasibility of training community helpers, recruitment and retention challenges, and delivery through community partnerships using both qualitative and quantitative methods. The research also applies the RE-AIM framework to assess reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance. The EASE intervention consists of seven group sessions for adolescents and three group sessions for their caregivers, each lasting 90 minutes. Adolescents learn skills such as recognizing emotions, managing distress through slow breathing, engaging in meaningful activities, and problem-solving. The program was adapted based on community feedback to improve relevance and accessibility for urban youth in New York City. This pilot study collaborates with community-based organizations and caregiver participants who are the adolescents legal guardians. Participants will engage in the group sessions and complete various assessments including the Pediatric Symptom Checklist Youth Report and other mental health and well-being questionnaires at 8 months. The study monitors psychological distress, school membership, parental stress, and other outcomes to evaluate the interventions impact. The total participation duration and follow-up are designed to support understanding of the programs feasibility and effectiveness in this urban setting.

Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions