Coach-Supported Versus Self-guided Digital Training Course for a Problem-solving Psychological Intervention for...

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Research
• Digital Health Interventions
• Global Mental Health

Background:

• Nonspecialist-delivered psychosocial interventions show promise for adolescent mental health in low-resource settings.
• Effective and resource-efficient methods for training nonspecialists are needed to scale these interventions.
• Adolescent mental health challenges are prevalent globally, particularly in underserved regions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a digital training (DT) course on nonspecialist competency in delivering problem-solving interventions for adolescents.
• To compare a self-guided DT course with a DT course supplemented by remote coaching.
• To assess the effectiveness of training methods for nonspecialist mental health providers in India.

Main Methods:

• A pre-post study with a nested parallel, 2-arm, individually randomized controlled trial.
• Recruitment of 262 nonspecialists (university students and NGO affiliates) in Delhi and Mumbai, India.
• Randomization to either self-guided DT or DT with weekly remote coaching over 4-6 weeks.

Main Results:

• Outcomes measured by a knowledge-based competency quiz at baseline and 6 weeks post-randomization.
• Primary hypothesis: Self-guided DT increases competency scores in novices.
• Secondary hypothesis: Coaching provides an incremental benefit over DT alone.

Conclusions:

• The study addresses a critical evidence gap in training methods for nonspecialist adolescent mental health providers.
• Findings will inform strategies to scale up evidence-based mental health interventions for youth in low-resource contexts.
• This research supports global efforts to improve access to mental healthcare for adolescents.