PSYCHOSOCIAL GROUP INTERVENTION FOR ADOLESCENTS WITH A CHRONIC ILLNESS

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of On Track Online, a psychosocial group intervention for adolescents with chronic illnesses (CI) that follows a protocoled online. In a parallel multicenter randomized controlled trial, adolescents (12–18 years) with various forms of cognitive impairment (N = 59; mean age = 15.1 years, SD = 1.7; 54% female) were compared with a waiting control group (N = 24) in On Track Online (N = 35). Online questionnaires were used for baseline (T0), 6-month (T1), and 12-month follow-up (T2) assessments. The main results were coping mechanisms connected to the condition and internalizing and externalizing behavioral issues. The quality of life related to health came second. To measure efficacy, linear mixed models were used. In terms of disease-related coping skills, T1 vs T0 (use of relaxation, β = 0.68; social competence, β = 0.57) and T2 vs T0 (information seeking, β = 0.61) showed a significant positive effect (p