Project SOLVE: Trial of a Brief Digital Problem-solving Intervention

Project SOLVE: A School-based Trial of a Universal Single-session Digital Problem-solving Intervention for Adolescent Mental Health

The goal of this trial is to examine the effectiveness of a universal, self-guided, digital single-session intervention focusing on problem-solving skills in improving adolescent mental health and well-being, relative to an active control intervention focusing on study skills, within the context of school settings during the coronavirus disease pandemic.

More than 20% of adolescents will experience at least one mental health disorder or problem before adulthood that warrants treatment, yet 80% of these adolescents will never receive care. This need-to-access gap appears to be heightened during the current coronavirus disease pandemic and its resulting disruptions to healthcare and education systems. Both within and beyond the context of the pandemic, preventive mental health interventions are positioned to help adolescents build and strengthen coping strategies that can preclude the emergence of mental health difficulties that require more resource-intensive levels of clinical care. Preventive mental health interventions delivered via digital platforms and within school-based settings might be especially scalable.

The current school-based trial is designed to test one such strategy that harnesses technology to boost the scalability of adolescent mental health interventions: a brief (one 30 minute session) digital program designed to empower adolescents (10-14 years old) to solve, rather than be overwhelmed by, everyday problems (Project SOLVE). Single-session interventions designed to help adolescents cultivate adaptive mindsets have reduced anxiety and depression among adolescents with and without elevated symptoms of these disorders. Building on this strong foundation, Project SOLVE targets these mental health challenges with problem solving skills-one of the most versatile, commonly used, and potent therapeutic techniques for adolescents.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adolescent is in grades 6-8 (inclusive) at partnering schools
• Adolescent is between the ages of 10-14 years (inclusive) at the time of study enrollment
• Adolescent and at least one guardian consent to adolescent participation in study
• Adolescent reads English well enough to effectively complete the digital programs
• Adolescent has access to a digital device

Exclusion Criteria:

• Adolescent is non-English speaking, as the programs are only available in English
• Adolescent does not have access to a digital device
• Adolescent has an intellectual disability that precludes comprehension of the program content