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ViewAttendees 5

Symposia

Transdiagnostic

Session: Quantitative and Qualitative Examination of the Unified Protocol for Adolescents: Implementation in Diverse Contexts

1 - (SYM 33) UP for Young Adults: Mixed Method Design on Feasibility and Acceptability of a Brief Version

Friday, November 17, 2023
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM PST
Location: Ashnola (301), Level 3

The Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders is one of the best supported transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral therapies. While manuals exist for adults, children and adolescents, there is no version for young adults. Our team has recently developed a brief, 5-session version of the UP that is tailored to the unique needs of young adults. A brief format was used since there is evidence that young adults are less likely to complete a full-length treatment than younger adolescents or older adults. We sought to test the feasibility and acceptability of this new protocol in two different treatment settings: a community mental health provider (student wellness centre at the University of Calgary, Canada) and a tertiary care provider (specialty clinic in Calgary for young adults with moderate-to-severe mental illness). Quantitative measures of mental health were collected at baseline, post-intervention (5 weeks) and at follow-up (12 weeks). Qualitative measures on treatment acceptability were gathered from interviews after treatment sessions. A total of 46 youth (age 17-30) were recruited through the student wellness centre, of whom 85% attended at least four of the five sessions. A total of 23 youth (age 18-24) were recruited through the specialty clinic for young adults, of whom 61% attended at least four sessions. Participants at both sites showed improvements over time in key domains of mental health, such as psychological distress, anxiety and emotion regulation, providing preliminary evidence that this novel intervention effectively treats broad symptom dimensions of mental illness. Qualitative interviews with participants indicated that they found the group format and content helpful since discussions and disclosures of mental health issues by same-age peers allowed participants to feel supported and gain additional insights into their own mental health issues.  The combination of qualitative and quantitative data indicate that a brief, transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral therapy like the Unified Protocol may be a feasible and acceptable way to provide care for young adults experiencing a range of mental health symptoms and receiving services in a variety of settings.