Challenges in recruiting and retaining adolescents with abuse-related posttraumatic stress disorder: lessons learned from a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Research on effective recruitment and retention strategies for adolescents and young adults suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder is scarce. The aim of the current study was to provide data on recruitment sources, barriers, and facilitators for participation in a randomized controlled trial for young individuals with histories of sexual and/or physical abuse. Methods: Study participants aged 14 to 21 were asked to complete a checklist on individual sources of recruitment, barriers, and facilitators for participation in the trial. Fifty-three out of the 80 study participants who were contacted completed the checklist (66.3%). Results: Most respondents reported multiple recruitment sources, with online and media advertising search strategies indicated most frequently (45.4% of all mentions), followed by practitioner-referred sources (38.7%). Respondents' reported barriers included additional demands of the trial (60.3%), followed by distress caused by having to talk about painful topics (15.5%). The most frequently indicated facilitators were the organizational setting (55.1%) and monetary incentives (22.2%), followed by social support (12.0%) and non-monetary incentives (10.2%). No significant differences were observed between adolescent and young adult respondents with the exception that adolescents reported significantly more frequently that they had learned about the trial from their caregiver. Conclusions: Our findings permit the formulation of recommendations for planning and conducting trials with this clientele. Future research is needed on how specific barriers can be effectively overcome.

Conséquences psychiatriques de la pandémie de la Covid 19 chez l’enfant et l’adolescent

“…Ces différents symptômes peuvent s’expliquer par plusieurs facteurs dont le changement de mode de vie [36] , [37] , par la réduction des échanges sociaux [38] et par l’exposition répétée aux médias et aux informations [39] , [40] . La fermeture des écoles, le manque d’activité en plein air, les habitudes alimentaires et de sommeil aberrantes sont susceptibles de perturber le mode de vie habituel des enfants et peuvent potentiellement favoriser la monotonie, la détresse, l’impatience, la gêne et diverses manifestations psychiatriques [41] .…”

Barriers for recruitment to treatment of youths with co‐occurring substance use disorders and depression

“…1,2 Traditional avenues for recruitment include advertisement in the media (e.g., newspapers, radio, and TV), school contacts, flyers posted in public places, health care providers and delivery systems, pediatric and mental health (MH) clinics, personal referrals, as well as community, state, and faith-based agencies. Recruitment methods for research in the community have been expanded utilizing electronic resources and media such as Facebook and other online links and advertisements venues 3,4 and models of harnessing electronic health records of patients. 5 best recruitment methods for adolescent-focused clinical trials, especially for the treatment of depression.…”

INteractive Virtual Expert-Led Skills Training: A Multi-Modal Curriculum for Medical Trainees

“…While for individuals 15–29 years of age it is well documented that suicide is the second leading cause of death ( 4 ), information on suicide in pre-adolescents is less readily known; one study estimated the mean rate of suicide in children and young adolescents up to 14 years is ~0.6/100.00 worldwide ( 5 ). Additionally, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, pediatric mental health needs are rising astronomically ( 6 ). With the staggering impact of depression and suicidality on children and teens, identification and treatment are critical.…”