Mentalization Intervention for Children and Adolescents (MICA) Study: Randomised Controlled Trial of Support for Aggressive and Violent Behaviour via Forensic Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate how helpful mentalisation based therapy (MBT) is for young people aged 10 to 17 years who have been referred to Forensic Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (FCAMHS) in England due to aggressive or violent behaviours. The trial compares the new MBT support, which helps young people understand their own and others' feelings and behaviours, to the usual support provided by FCAMHS. This study uses a randomized controlled trial design to see which support works better for these vulnerable young people. Participants will receive either the usual support from FCAMHS or the usual support plus MBT for six months. MBT involves meeting regularly with a mental health practitioner, with parents or carers able to join some sessions. Usual support may include advice, guidance, psychoeducation, or other mental health treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). After six months, participants will complete questionnaires again, and some may take part in optional interviews to share their experiences. During the study, young people will complete several questionnaires at the start and after six months to measure aggression and other mental health outcomes, reported by both the young person, their parent/carer, and clinicians. The primary outcome measure is the Reactive and Proactive Aggression Questionnaire completed by the young person. The study will also monitor safety and progress through these assessments. Participation lasts for six months, with initial and follow-up evaluations to understand the therapy's impact.

Using Mentalization Based Therapy to Support Children and Adolescents Referred to Specialist Mental Health Services in the NHS for Aggressive and/or Violent Behaviour