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An Iteratively Adapted Transdiagnostic Prevention Program for Diverse High School Settings (U-PEACE): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Velez CV, Campez-Pardo M, Canovas JM, Pedronzo PM, Ahn YA, Dale CF, Dale SK, Gwynn L et al.

JMIR research protocols, 2025

1 citation

Abstract

Background: Despite many adolescents experiencing mental health concerns, a substantial portion lack access to evidence-based treatments (EBTs) for psychopathology; this issue is magnified for adolescents belonging to communities considered marginalized. One way to ameliorate this is by adapting existent EBTs-typically delivered in research settings-so that they are feasible and scalable in adolescent settings, such as high schools. The Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in Adolescents may be particularly suited for this purpose due to its transdiagnostic, modular approach and its focus on adolescent clients.

Objective: This study aimed to iteratively adapt and implement the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in Adolescents in 3 Title 1 high schools, with a focus on feasibility and scalability of the intervention in diverse high school settings.

Methods: For initial adaptation, members of participating high school communities will be presented with original, unadapted intervention materials and asked to provide qualitative feedback on how to make the program more appropriate and feasible for their schools (aim 1). After initial adaptations are implemented, an open-trial pilot case series will assess the appropriateness and feasibility of the resulting program: the Unified Protocol for Emotional and Academic Challenges in Education (aim 2). Initial outcome data and qualitative feedback from pilot case…

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Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design.

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