NCT07259109

Psychopathology in Adolescence

Psychotherapy and Psychopathology in Adolescence: an Observational Study

• Status: Enrolling By Invitation
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 192 (estimated)
• Sponsor: IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 12 Years – 20 Years
• Healthy volunteers: —

Summary

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.

Detailed 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.

Conditions

• Anxiety Disorders
• Depressive Disorder
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Mental Health
• Adolescent - Emotional Problem
• Psychoterapy

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-04-01
• Primary completion: 2030-12-01
• Completion: 2031-03-01
• First posted: 2025-12-02
• Last updated: 2025-12-02

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Italy