Tuuli Kuosmanen|Theresa Fleming|Janet Newell|Margaret M. Barry
A pilot evaluation of the SPARX-R gaming intervention for preventing depression and improving wellbeing among adolescents in alternative education
Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway|University of Auckland|Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway|Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway
use computerized mental health programs vulnerable youth early school leavers remains relatively unstudied pilot study examined feasibility delivering computerized cognitive behavioral therapy ccbt gaming intervention sparxr young people age 1520 years left school early attending youthreach alternative education ae program ireland students n 146 twentyone youthreach centers randomized sparxr nointervention control students within group included study whether exhibiting heightened levels depression program impact examined negative positive indicators mental health including depression primary outcome generalized anxiety general mental wellbeing coping emotion regulation assessments conducted baseline postintervention 7 weeks participants provided data postassessment n 66 included analysis participants completed average 53 modules sparxr 30 n 9 completing entire program significant improvement emotion regulation strategies detected expressive suppression decreasing significantly sparxr group comparison control 297 95 ci 548 046 p 003 findings suggest sparxr positive impact emotion regulation lack significant findings outcome measures may attributed inadequate sample size therefore research larger samples required establish effectiveness program reducing depression anxiety improving psychological wellbeing among young people attending ae