Thurman 2017.
| Study characteristics | |
| Methods |
Study design: RCT Duration of study: between 30 September 2014 and 5 February 2015, eligible female participants were identified. The intervention ended in 2015. The study was published on 24 April 2017. Country: South Africa Income classification: upper‐middle‐income country Geographical scope: 3 periurban towns of Free State province Healthcare setting: 11 schools |
| Participants | 1. Age: 13‐17 years 2. Gender: female 3. Socioeconomic background: not specified 4. Educational background: enrolled in 9th grade Inclusion criteria: a. 13 years to 18 years; b. female; c. attends one of the participating schools; d. English or Sesotho speaker. Exclusion criteria: previous participation in CWBFN grief counselling group. Note: at baseline, the intervention and control group scores for the Center for Epidemiological Studies—Depression Scale for Children (CES‐DC) were, respectively, 17.2 (10.9) and 16.6 (10.7). At baseline, the intervention and control group scores for Brief Problem Monitor—Parent Form (BPM) were, respectively, 10.2 (7.0) and 8.2 (5.9). At baseline, the intervention and control group scores for the 2‐Way Social Support Scale were, respectively, 15.0 (4.8) and 15.3 (4.4). Stated purpose: to assess the effectiveness of time‐limited adolescent grief counselling peer groups in improving the psychosocial well‐being of bereaved female adolescents. |
| Interventions |
Name: Abangane Title/name of PW and number: social workers or social auxiliary worker 1. Selection: selected by the NGO Child 2. Educational background: not specified 3. Training: 4‐day training, 1 year prior experience in delivering the programme (to participants not included in the study population), and 3‐day refresher training before study initiation 4. Supervision: facilitators attended weekly supervision meetings and provided a written account of each session for supervision and quality assurance purposes by CWBFN programme manager. 5. Incentives/remuneration: not specified Prevention type: indicated – participants presented with some level of distress as indicated by the CES‐DC scores. Intervention details: the intervention called Abangane (“friends” in isiZulu) consists of 8 sessions. Abangane support groups include activities guided by cognitive behavioural therapy principles and indigenous games and songs, contextually relevant stories and scenarios, as well as discussions about cultural rituals and traditions surrounding death. Groups met for weekly, interactive 90‐minute sessions that included an average of three structured activities focused on experiences of loss and grief, coping skills, and the links between feelings, thoughts, and behaviour. The panel presents the overarching theme for each session and a brief description of activities. All sessions included an opening and closing ritual and time for reflection. Homework was assigned at the end of each session and discussed at the start of the next one, including identifying sources of support, defining goals, and recognizing and challenging negative thoughts. Each participant was provided with a journal to use for recording their progress and feelings. All participants had access to the standard of care consisting of a school‐based CWBFN counsellor available to serve students based on self‐referral or referral by a teacher. Control: waiting list – wait‐listed adolescents will be able to participate in Abangane at the close of the study. |
| Outcomes |
Participants’outcomes of interest for this review
Carers’ outcomes of interest for this review Nil Economic outcomes Nil Time points: baseline, post‐intervention (1‐6 months) |
| Notes |
Source of funding: US Agency for International Development Southern Africa. The funder of this study reviewed the final protocol, but had no role in the study design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation, writing of this report, or decision to submit this paper for publication. The first and second authors (TRT and BGL) had full access to the data, and the corresponding first author (TRT) takes responsibility for its integrity and the decision to submit this report. Notes on validation of instruments (screening and outcomes): the 20‐item CES‐DC has been previously applied amongst South African youth. Cronbach’s a = 0.87 at baseline. The BPM is a widely used measure with well‐established cross‐cultural validity and has been used to document the extent of emotional and behavioural problems amongst HIV‐affected children in South Africa. Cronbach’s a = 0.83 at baseline. SSS‐R: Cronbach’s α = 0.86 at baseline. Additional information: none Handling the data: not available Prospective trial registration number: NCT02368808 |