Trauma Therapy for Weight-Based Bullying in Children
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age10-17
SponsorWestern University
About this trial
The goal of this feasibility study is to learn whether a trauma therapy intervention for children and adolescents who have experienced weight-based bullying can be successfully delivered within a pediatric weight management program. The intervention is informed by Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) principles and is designed to address trauma-related distress, body image concerns, emotional difficulties, and eating-related challenges associated with weight-based bullying. The main questions this study aims to answer are:
* Can this trauma therapy intervention be feasibly implemented within the HEAL Program at Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre? * Is the intervention acceptable and helpful for participating children, adolescents, and caregivers? * Are exploratory changes observed in trauma symptoms, emotional well-being, self-esteem, eating-related concerns, and weight-related distress following participation in the intervention?
Participants will:
* Participate in approximately 12 weekly virtual therapy sessions, with flexibility for additional sessions if clinically needed * Complete questionnaires before and after treatment related to emotional well-being, trauma symptoms, eating-related concerns, and body image * Participate in selected caregiver-supported sessions during treatment * Optionally complete a brief feedback interview about their experience in the program after treatment is completed
The study will also examine recruitment, attendance, treatment completion, and participant satisfaction to help determine whether this intervention can be implemented in routine clinical care settings.
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
Children and adolescents aged 10-17 years enrolled in the HEAL Program at Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre
Self-reported experiences of weight-based bullying or weight-related teasing associated with emotional distress
Clinically appropriate for outpatient trauma therapy participation as determined by the study team
Ability to participate in virtual therapy sessions in English
Disqualifiers
Acute psychiatric risk requiring a higher level of care (e.g.: active suicidal ideation with intent or plan, recent suicide attempt requiring crisis intervention, psychosis or loss of reality testing, severe psychiatric instability);
Severe eating disorder requiring specialized or intensive treatment;
Uncontrolled or medically unstable conditions requiring urgent or intensive intervention;
Developmental or cognitive conditions that significantly impair participation in TF-CBT;
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- Trauma Therapy for Weight-Based Bullying Informed by TF-CBT
Treatment groups
30 Participants
are divided into 1 treatment groupSponsors and collaborators
Source ClinicalTrials.gov