DOI: 10.1186/s12888-019-2116-5
A major challenge facing society today is the integration and support of young people who find themselves disengaged from education, training, or employment – commonly referred to as NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training). Research published in BMC Psychiatry indicates a significant breakthrough in this area with a telephone-delivered intervention designed to improve the social and psychological well-being of youth.
The study, outlined in the paper titled “Study protocol: a randomised controlled trial of a telephone-delivered social wellbeing and engaged living (SWEL) psychological intervention for disengaged youth,” highlights the importance of innovative approaches to reengage disengaged youth. The trial investigates the effectiveness of a telephone-delivered psychological intervention, aiming to address the challenges of accessibility and engagement that this demographic often faces.
The Challenge
Globally, statistics indicate that between 12.2% and 23.4% of youth aged 16-24 years are classified as NEET, with this demographic being at a significantly higher risk of social exclusion, increased psychological distress, and a decreased quality of life. Helen J. Stain and colleagues from various prestigious institutions, including Leeds Trinity University and University of Newcastle, launched a single-blind, three-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) to address these concerns.
The SWEL Intervention
The SWEL intervention draws on principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing, and behavioral activation, tailored to the unique needs of disengaged youth. During the RCT, participants were randomized to receive either the SWEL intervention, Befriending, or a single session of Psycho-Education over an eight-week period.
Outcomes and Expectations
The research aims not only to improve the rates of re-engagement in educational, training, or employment settings but also to enhance the overall social inclusion and psychological well-being of participants. The longitudinal design, including follow-ups at 2, 8 and 14 months, allows for a comprehensive analysis of the intervention’s sustainability and its real-world impact.
Accessible and Impactful
One of the remarkable aspects of the SWEL intervention is its delivery over the phone, substantially increasing accessibility, especially for youth in rural and remote areas. This method intends to overcome barriers to traditional service delivery systems, offering wider implications for service delivery models in the future.
Results and Dissemination
The authors, including Amanda L. Baker, Christopher Jackson, and Leanne Hides, are committed to ensuring the findings of this significant trial are widely disseminated. They assert that results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and findings presented at scientific conferences, as well as communicated with key service providers and policymakers.
Ethics and Registration
The trial has been duly registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) and has received ethics approvals from the participating institutions, upholding rigorous standards of scientific inquiry and participant safety.
Implications and Future Directions
The SWEL intervention study holds the potential for significant societal impacts, providing a much-needed lifeline to a vulnerable population. The anticipated challenges in recruitment, intervention, and retention underscore the gravity of engaging this hard-to-reach demographic. However, with early positive indications, the SWEL intervention could herald a new era of psychological support and social reintegration for disengaged youth.
References
1. Stain, H.J., et al. (2019). Study protocol: a randomised controlled trial of a telephone delivered social wellbeing and engaged living (SWEL) psychological intervention for disengaged youth. BMC Psychiatry, 19(1), 136. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-019-2116-5
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Keywords
1. SWEL psychological intervention
2. Youth social inclusion
3. NEET youth support
4. Remote therapy for disengaged youth
5. Mental health interventions for NEET