Psychopathology in Adolescence

IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo

Status: Invitation-only

Conditions: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Adolescent - Emotional Problem; Anxiety Disorders; Depressive Disorder; Psychoterapy; Mental Health

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07259109

PSY25

Details and patient eligibility

About

This observational study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of two different psychotherapy approaches-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Brief Strategic Therapy (BST)-in treating adolescents with psychological disorders. The study will follow adolescents aged 12 to 20 who are receiving psychotherapy as part of their routine clinical care at the IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo" in Messina, Italy. Participants will not be randomly assigned to a treatment; instead, their natural clinical path will be observed. Data will be collected through standardized psychological assessments at the beginning, during, and after the therapy, as well as at follow-ups at 3 and 9 months. The goal is to understand which therapeutic model is more effective in improving symptoms, quality of life, and self-esteem in adolescents, and how individual and family factors influence treatment outcomes.

Full description

This is a 5-year observational study evaluating the effectiveness and clinical characteristics of two psychotherapy approaches-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Brief Strategic Therapy (BST)-in adolescents with psychiatric disorders. Patients aged 12 to 20 receiving care at the IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo" will be followed according to standard clinical practice, without random assignment. Psychopathological symptoms, self-esteem, and quality of life will be assessed at multiple time points (baseline, mid-treatment, end of treatment, and 3- and 9-month follow-ups) using standardized psychological tools. A propensity score matching method will be applied to reduce selection bias between treatment groups. The study also aims to identify predictors of treatment response and explore the influence of clinical and family-related factors on therapeutic outcomes. Data will be analyzed using both intra-group and inter-group statistical comparisons.

Enrollment: 192 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 12 to 20 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Adolescents aged 12 to 20 years
• Clinical diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder according to DSM-5 criteria
• Intelligence Quotient (IQ) ≥ 80
• Written informed consent signed by participant and/or legal guardian

Exclusion criteria

• Comorbid diagnosis of major neuropsychiatric disorders (e.g., autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia)
• Intelligence Quotient (IQ) ≤ 79
• Lack of signed informed consent

Trial design

192 participants in 2 patient groups

CBT Group

Description:

Participants receiving Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as part of routine clinical care for adolescent psychopathology.

BST Group

Description:

Participants receiving Brief Strategic Therapy (BST) as part of routine clinical care for adolescent psychopathology.