The primary objective of the BLAME-LESS study is to examine the effectiveness of an
online psychoeducation program in reducing trauma-related feelings of shame and guilt in
adolescents who experienced sexual or physical abuse .

Psycho-education Program BLAME-LESS and it's Effect on Traumarelated Shame and Guilt

Trauma

The study follows a two-arm RCT (n=34). The effects of a brief online psychoeducation
program will be compared, with a waiting-list control group. The intervention aims to
reduce feelings of trauma-related shame and guilt that adolescents experience regarding
their own defense responses during and after (sexual) violence. Assessments take place
after screening, at baseline, two weeks after allocation to the intervention or
waiting-list, and, only for the waiting-list participants, seven weeks after allocation
to the intervention.

BLAME-LESS

BLAME-LESS STUDY: A Two-arm Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Effects of an Online Psycho-education Program for Adolescents Who Experienced (Sexual) Violence.

The primary objective of the BLAME-LESS study is to examine the effectiveness of an
online psychoeducation program, BLAME-LESS, compared to a waiting-list control group of
adolescents (12 - 18 years) who experienced sexual or physical abuse in reducing
trauma-related feelings of shame and guilt. The Shame and Guilt After Trauma Scale
(SGATS) (Aakvaag et al., 2016) measures trauma-related shame and guilt. The SGATS
consists of nine items, four on trauma-related feelings of shame and five on
trauma-related feelings of guilt (Aakvaag et al., 2016). Each question can be answered on
a 3-point Likert scale (0 = no, 1 = yes, a little, 2 = yes, a lot).

The second objective of the research is to examine the effects of the intervention on
PTSD symptoms. The Dutch version of the Child and Adolescent Trauma Screener (KJTS-NL;
Kooij & Lindauer, 2019) is a questionnaire for children and adolescents that serves as a
screening tool for PTSD symptoms (Sachser et al., 2017). The severity of PTSD symptoms is
measured with 20 items, rated on a 4-point Likert scale (range 1-4). A total score below
15 suggests no (clinical) indication of the presence of a PTSD classification, a score
between 15 and 20 suggests the possible presence of a clinical PTSD classification, and a
score above 20 suggests an increased chance of the presence of a PTSD classification.

The third objective of the research is to examine the effects of the intervention on
anxiety and depression symptoms. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information
System (PROMIS; Terwee et al., 2014) measures Anxiety and Depression symptoms. The lists
consist of a dynamic set of item banks based on Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT). Both
questionnaires consist of 8 items. Each question can be answered as follows: never,
almost never, sometimes, often, very often.

The fourth objective of the research is to examing the effects of the intervention on
posttraumatic cognitions. The Child Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (CPTCI;
Meiser-Stedman et al., 2009) is a self-report questionnaire that measures trauma-related
cognitions in children and adolescents. The questionnaire consists of two subscales
(permanent and disturbing change subscale, CPTCI-PC; fragile person in a scary world
subscale, CPTCI-SW) with a total of 25 items that can be answered on a four-point Likert
scale (ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree). The English version of
the CPTCI has been validated in children aged-6-18 years. The Dutch CPTCI has good
reliability and validity (Diehle et al., 2015), high internal consistency (Cronbach's
alpha 0.86-0.93), and good convergent validity.

The fifth objective of the research is to examing the effects of the intervention on
motivation to engage in traumafocused treatment and to disclose traumatic memories. The
Treatment Program and Evaluation Questionnaire (TPEQ; Murphy et al., 2009) assesses
readiness and motivation for trauma-focused treatments (Murphy et al., 2009). The
questions were answered on a 7-point Likert scale (ranging from 1 = strongly disagree to
7 = strongly agree). A higher score indicates greater willingness and motivation for
treatment.

If allocated to the intervention group, participants will have direct access to the
online intervention for two weeks after allocation.

When a participant is assigned to the waiting-list control group, he or she has a
two-week waiting period, after which the participant will have access to the
intervention.

Psycho-education Program BLAME-LESS and it's Effect on Traumarelated Shame and Guilt

About this trial

Study ID

Status

Type

Phase

Placebo

Accepting

Not accepting

Trial Timing

What is this trial about?

What are the participation requirements?

Locations

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