Research Library

This briefing draws on learning emerging from research led by the Evidence Based Practice Unit in collaboration with the Child Outcomes Research Consortium, The University of Manchester and Common Room. The Mercers’ Company funded the research. The Mercers’ Company is the Premier Livery Company of the City of London. Authors: Deighton, J., Stapley, E., Lereya, T., Burrell, K., Atkins, L. (2019).

The dual-factor approach to mental health was employed to explore levels and interrelations of protective factors associated with resilience in a dataset of 30,841 schoolchildren aged 11–14 in England. Authors: Jefferies, P., Fritz, J., Deighton, J., Ungar, M. (2023).

The aim of this review was to systematically identify the behavioural change techniques (BCTs) underpinning anorexia nervosa apps for young people. BCTs refer to the “common language” used by researchers to determine the triggers of behaviour change. Authors: Chiang, CP., Hayes, D., Panagiotopoulou, E. (2023).

We tested to what extent positive experiences were associated with depressive symptoms in adolescence among those who were previously exposed to intimate partner violence. Parental intimate partner violence experienced in childhood was associated with more depressive symptoms at age 18. Most positive experiences, such as relationships with parents, teachers, peers, school enjoyment, were linked with fewer depressive symptoms at age 18. Authors: Gondek, D., Feder, G., Howe, L. D., Gilbert, R., Howarth, E., Deighton, J., Lacey, R. E. (2023).

The aim of this research was to explore young people’s experiences of therapeutic relationships with staff in secure settings, which is a central component of the Framework for Integrated Care (SECURE STAIRS). Authors: Jacobs, J., D'souza, S., Lane, R., Cracknell, L., Singleton, R., Edbrooke-Childs, J. (2023).

Universal help-seeking interventions in schools to support young people’s mental health have been widely used, but we know little about their initial impact and longer term follow-up. This systematic literature review aims to explore the impact of these types of programmes across different help-seeking constructs. Authors: Hayes, D., Mansfield, R., Mason, C., Santos, J., Moore, A., Boehnke, J., Ashworth, E., Moltrecht, B., Humphrey, N., Stallard, P., Patalay, P., & Deighton, J. (2023).

The findings suggest a need for caution in using the strengths and difficulties questionnaire as a self-report measure for children below the age of 13, and highlight considerations of readability in measure development, selection and interpretation. Authors: Patalay, P., Hayes, D., & Wolpert, M. (2018).

Young people as active partners in the design of interventions is increasingly considered an integral part of research. This article presents results from a project involving young people as co-designers in a digital intervention for shared decision-making in mental health services. Authors: Edridge, C., Edbooke-Childs, J., Martin, K., Delane, L., Averill, P., Feltham, A., Rees, J., Jeremy, G., Chapman, L., Craven, M. P., & Wolpert, M. (2018).

Psychological distress is common among women of childbearing age, and limited longitudinal research suggests prolonged exposure to maternal distress is linked to child mental health problems. We analysed the UK Millennium Cohort Study, a nationally representative sample with data collected throughout childhood. Authors: Hope, S., Pearce, A., Chittleborough, C., Deighton, J., Maika, A., Micali, N., Mittinty, M., Law, C., Lynch, J. (2018).