Publications by year
2021
Axford N, Bjornstad G, Matthews J, Whybra L, Berry V, Ukoumunne OC, Hobbs T, Wrigley Z, Brook L, Taylor R, et al (2021). The Effectiveness of a Community-Based Mentoring Program for Children Aged 5-11 Years: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial.
Prev Sci,
22(1), 100-112.
Abstract:
The Effectiveness of a Community-Based Mentoring Program for Children Aged 5-11 Years: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial.
The study, a two-arm, randomized controlled, parallel group, superiority trial, aimed to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of a 12-month one-to-one volunteer mentoring program designed to improve behavioral and emotional outcomes in children aged 5 to 11 years who have teacher- and parent/carer-reported behavioral difficulties. Participants were 246 children (123 intervention, 123 control; mean age 8.4 years; 87% boys) in five sites in London, UK, scoring in the "abnormal" range on the teacher-rated Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) Total Difficulties measure and in the "borderline" or abnormal range on the parent-rated SDQ Total Difficulties measure. Randomization on a 1:1 ratio took place using a computer-generated sequence and stratifying by site. Data collectors and statisticians were blind to participant allocation status. Outcome measures focused on parent- and teacher-rated child behavior and emotions, and child-rated self-perception and hope. Intention-to-treat analysis on all 246 randomized participants (using imputed data where necessary) showed that at post-intervention (16 months after randomization), there were no statistically significant effects on the primary outcome-parent-rated SDQ Total Difficulties (adjusted standardized mean difference = - 0.12; 95% CI: -0.38 to 0.13; p = 0.33)-or any secondary outcomes. Results from complier average causal effect (CACE) analysis using the primary outcome indicated the intervention was not effective for children who received the recommended duration of mentoring. Exploratory analyses found no sub-group effects on the primary outcome. The article concludes that the mentoring program had no effect on children's behavior or emotional well-being, and that program content needs revising to satisfactorily address key risk and protective factors.
Abstract.
Author URL.
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2020
Bjornstad GJ, Sonthalia S, Rouse B, Timmons L, Whybra L, Axford N (2020). PROTOCOL: a comparison of the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural interventions based on delivery features for elevated symptoms of depression in adolescents.
Campbell Systematic Reviews,
16(1).
Full text.
Liabo K, Boddy K, Bortoli S, Irvine J, Boult H, Fredlund M, Joseph N, Bjornstad G, Morris C (2020). Public involvement in health research: what does ‘good’ look like in practice?.
Research Involvement and Engagement,
6(1).
Full text.
Axford N, Bjornstad G, Matthews J, Heilmann S, Raja A, Ukoumunne OC, Berry V, Wilkinson T, Timmons L, Hobbs T, et al (2020). The effectiveness of a therapeutic parenting program for children aged 6–11 years with behavioral or emotional difficulties: Results from a randomized controlled trial.
Children and Youth Services Review,
117, 105245-105245.
Full text.
Axford N, Bjornstad G, Clarkson S, Ukoumunne O, Wrigley Z, Matthews J, Berry V, Hutchings J (2020). The effectiveness of the KiVa bullying prevention program in Wales, UK: results from a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial.
Prevention Science Full text.
2019
Bjornstad G, Wilkinson K, Cuffe-Fuller B, Fitzpatrick K, Borek A, Ukoumunne OC, Hawton A, Tarrant M, Berry V, Lloyd J, et al (2019). Healthy Parent Carers peer-led group-based health promotion intervention for parent carers of disabled children: protocol for a feasibility study using a parallel group randomised controlled trial design.
Pilot and Feasibility Studies,
5(1).
Abstract:
Healthy Parent Carers peer-led group-based health promotion intervention for parent carers of disabled children: protocol for a feasibility study using a parallel group randomised controlled trial design
Abstract
. Background
. Parent carers of disabled children are at increased risk of mental and physical health problems. They often experience challenges to maintaining good health which have implications for their well-being and their ability to care for their children. In response to these needs, researchers and parent carers developed the Healthy Parent Carers (HPC) programme. It is a peer-led, group-based intervention that promotes behaviours associated with health and well-being. The aims of this trial are to assess the acceptability of the HPC programme and the feasibility of its delivery in the community and to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the design of the definitive trial to evaluate the programme’s effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.
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. Methods
. We will establish six research sites and train facilitators to deliver the manualised intervention. Parent carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities will be individually randomised, stratified by group delivery site, to either take part in a group programme and online resources (intervention) or to receive access to the online resources only (control). Measures of mental health; well-being; health-related quality of life; health behaviours; patient activation; protective factors such as resilience, social connections, and practical support; and use of health care, social care, and wider societal resources will be collected before randomisation (baseline), immediately post-intervention, and 6 months later. Recruitment of participants, adherence to the programme, and the dose received will be assessed. Group sessions will be audio-recorded to evaluate the fidelity of delivery and participant engagement. Participants’ and facilitators’ feedback on the programme content and delivery, their experience, and the acceptability of the outcome measures and trial design will be collected through feedback forms, interviews, and focus groups.
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. Discussion
. This trial will assess whether the programme delivery and evaluative trial design are feasible, to inform whether to progress to a definitive randomised controlled trial to test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the Healthy Parent Carers programme.
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. Trial registration
. ISRCTN, ISRCTN151144652, registered on 25 October 2018; ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03705221, registered on 15 October 2018.
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Clarkson S, Charles JM, Saville CWN, Bjornstad GJ, Hutchings J (2019). Introducing KiVa school-based antibullying programme to the UK: a preliminary examination of effectiveness and programme cost.
School Psychology International Full text.
2018
Borek A, McDonald B, Fredlund M, Bjornstad GJ, Logan GS, Morris C (2018). Healthy Parent Carers programme: development and feasibility of a novel group-based health-promotion intervention.
BMC Public Health,
18, 270-270.
Full text.
Axford N, Lowther K, Timmons L, Bjornstad GJ, Brook L, Webb L, Sonthalia S (2018).
Rapid review on safeguarding to inform the Healthy Child Programme 5 to 19. London, Public Health England.
Full text.
Whybra L, Warner G, Bjornstad GJ, Hobbs T, Brook L, Wrigley Z, Berry V, Ukoumunne O, Matthews J, Taylor R, et al (2018). The effectiveness of Chance UK’s mentoring programme in improving behavioural and emotional outcomes in primary school children with behavioural difficulties: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.
BMC Psychology,
6, 9-9.
Full text.
Axford N, Warner G, Hobbs T, Heilmann S, Raja A, Berry V, Ukoumunne O, Matthews J, Eames T, Kallitsoglou A, et al (2018). The effectiveness of the Inspiring Futures parenting programme in improving behavioural and emotional outcomes in primary school children with behavioural or emotional difficulties: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.
BMC Psychology,
6, 3-3.
Full text.
2016
Underwood MK, Bjornstad GJ (2016). Children’s emotional experience of peer provocation: the relation. between observed behaviour and self-reports of emotions, expressions, and social goals.
International Journal of Behavioral Development,
25(4), 320-330.
Abstract:
Children’s emotional experience of peer provocation: the relation. between observed behaviour and self-reports of emotions, expressions, and social goals
for an experimental study of children’s responses to peer provocation, this investigation examined the correlations between children’s observed behaviours and their self-reports of their emotional experiences, expressions, and social goals provided in an interview immediately following the provocation. Participants were 565 children (approximate ages 8, 10, and 12 years old) who were provoked in two ways in an experimental play session: By losing at a computer game they were playing for a desirable prize, and by being taunted by a peer actor. Children’s responses to provocation were reliably coded for verbalisations, facial expressions, and gestures. Results indicated often significant but quite modest correlations between children’s self-reports of their emotional behaviour and their behaviours as coded during the play session. For the magnitude of these correlations, there were not significant developmental differences, and the strength of the correlations did not differ for same- or for other-gender dyads. There was some evidence that for girls, self-reports corresponded to emotional behaviours more strongly than for boys.
Abstract.
Clarkson S, Axford N, Berry V, Edwards RT, Bjornstad G, Wrigley Z, Charles J, Hoare Z, Ukoumunne OC, Matthews J, et al (2016). Effectiveness and micro-costing of the KiVa school-based bullying prevention programme in Wales: study protocol for a pragmatic definitive parallel group cluster randomised controlled trial.
BMC Public Health,
16Abstract:
Effectiveness and micro-costing of the KiVa school-based bullying prevention programme in Wales: study protocol for a pragmatic definitive parallel group cluster randomised controlled trial.
BACKGROUND: Bullying refers to verbal, physical or psychological aggression repeated over time that is intended to cause harm or distress to the victims who are unable to defend themselves. It is a key public health priority owing to its widespread prevalence in schools and harmful short- and long-term effects on victims' well-being. There is a need to strengthen the evidence base by testing innovative approaches to preventing bullying. KiVa is a school-based bullying prevention programme with universal and indicated elements and an emphasis on changing bystander behaviour. It achieved promising results in a large trial in Finland, and now requires testing in other countries. This paper describes the protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT) of KiVa in Wales. METHODS/DESIGN: the study uses a two-arm waitlist control pragmatic definitive parallel group cluster RCT design with an embedded process evaluation and calculation of unit cost. Participating schools will be randomised a using a 1:1 ratio to KiVa plus usual provision (intervention group) or usual provision only (control group). The trial has one primary outcome, child self-reported victimisation from bullying, dichotomised as 'victimised' (bullied at least twice a month in the last couple of months) versus 'not victimised'. Secondary outcomes are: bullying perpetration; aspects of child social and emotional well-being (including emotional problems, conduct, peer relations, prosocial behaviour); and school attendance. Follow-up is at 12 months post-baseline. Implementation fidelity is measured through teacher-completed lesson records and independent school-wide observation. A micro-costing analysis will determine the costs of implementing KiVa, including recurrent and non-recurrent unit costs. Factors related to the scalability of the programme will be examined in interviews with head teachers and focus groups with key stakeholders in the implementation of school-based bullying interventions. DISCUSSION: the results from this trial will provide evidence on whether the KiVa programme is transportable from Finland to Wales in terms of effectiveness and implementation. It will provide information about the costs of delivery and generate insights into factors related to the scalability of the programme. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN23999021 Date 10-6-13.
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Author URL.
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2015
Bjornstad GJ, Ramchandani P, Montgomery P, Gardner F (2015). Child-focused cognitive behavioural therapy for children who have been physically abused.
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews,
2015(3).
Abstract:
Child-focused cognitive behavioural therapy for children who have been physically abused
© 2015 the Cochrane Collaboration. This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows: to review the efficacy of child-focused cognitive behavioural interventions for improving outcomes for children who have experienced physical abuse.
Abstract.
Axford N, Farrington DP, Clarkson S, Bjornstad GJ, Wrigley Z, Hutchings J (2015). Involving parents in school-based programmes to prevent and reduce bullying: what effect does it have?.
Journal of Children's Services,
10(3), 242-251.
Abstract:
Involving parents in school-based programmes to prevent and reduce bullying: what effect does it have?
. Purpose
. – the purpose of this paper is to describe how and why school-based programmes to prevent or reduce bullying involve parents, and what impact involving parents has on bullying.
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. Design/methodology/approach
. – a review of relevant literature, in particular systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
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. Findings
. – the logic of involving parents in school-based bullying prevention programmes is that this increases the likelihood of parents first, telling schools that their child is being bullied, which in turn enables the school to act appropriately, and second, being able to address bullying-related issues effectively at home. Parent involvement is associated with a reduction in bullying but further research is needed to determine if it is a causal factor. Programmes tend not to include a parenting education and support element, despite negative parenting behaviour being associated with children being a victim or a bully/victim.
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. Practical implications
. – There is good reason to involve parents in school-based bullying prevention. Given the parenting risk factors for bullying perpetration and victimisation, bullying prevention programmes could also usefully offer parenting education and support.
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. Originality/value
. – the paper focuses exclusively on the role of parents in school-based bullying prevention programmes. It articulates the logic of involving parents and summarises the impact of parent involvement.
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Abstract.
Axford N, Barlow J, Coad J, Schrader-McMillan A, Bjornstad G, Berry VL, Wrigley Z, Goodwin A, Ohlson C, Sonthalia S, et al (2015).
Rapid review to update evidence for Healthy Child Programme 0-5. London, Public Health England.
Full text.
2012
Lee S, Drake E, Pennucci A, Bjornstad G, Edovald T (2012). Economic evaluation of early childhood education in a policy context. Journal of Children's Services, 7(1), 53-63.
2009
Bjornstad GJ, Ramchandani P, Montgomery P, Gardner F (2009). Child-focused cognitive behavioural therapy for children who have been physically abused. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews(2).
Gardner F, Bjornstad GJ, Ramchandani P, Tao X, Montgomery P (2009). Family therapy for children who have been physically abused. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews(2).
2008
Montgomery P, Bjornstad G, Dennis J (2008). Cochrane review: Media-based behavioural treatments for behavioural problems in children. Evidence-Based Child Health: a Cochrane Review Journal, 2(4), 1154-1190.
2006
Montgomery P, Bjornstad G, Dennis J (2006). Media-based behavioural treatments for behavioural problems in children.
Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online)(1).
Abstract:
Media-based behavioural treatments for behavioural problems in children.
BACKGROUND: Many approaches are used to address behavioural problems in childhood including medication or, more usually, psychological treatments either directly with the child and/or his/her family. Behavioural and cognitive-behavioural interventions have been shown to be highly effective but access to these treatments is limited due to factors such as time and expense. Presenting the information parents need in order to manage these behaviour problems in booklet or other media-based format would most likely reduce the cost and increase access to these interventions. OBJECTIVES: to review the effects of media-based cognitive-behavioural therapies for any young person with a behavioural disorder (diagnosed using a recognised instrument) compared to standard care and no-treatment controls. SEARCH STRATEGY: the following electronic databases were systematically searched: CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2005), MEDLINE (1966 to August 2005), EMBASE (1980 to August 2005), PsycINFO (1887 to August 2005), CINAHL (1982 to August 2005), Biosis (1985 to August 2005) and Sociofile (1974 to August 2005). References in all selected trials were checked for other trials and experts in the field were contacted for additional information. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials (e.g. trials which used sequential randomisation) of media-based behavioural treatments for behaviour problems in children. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Abstracts and titles of studies identified from searches of electronic databases were read to determine whether they met the inclusion criteria. Full copies of those possibly meeting these criteria from electronic or other searches were assessed by the reviewers and queries were resolved by discussion. Data were analysed using RevMan 4.2. MAIN RESULTS: Eleven studies including 943 participants were included within this review. In general, media-based therapies for behavioural disorders in children had a moderate, if variable, effect when compared with both no-treatment controls with effects sizes ranging from -0.12 (-1.65, 1.41) to -32.60 (-49.93, -15.27) and as and adjunct to medication with effect sizes ranging from -2.71 (-5.86, -0.44) to -39.55 (-75.01, -4.09). Significant improvements were made with the addition of up to two hours of therapist time. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: These formats of delivering behavioural interventions for carers of children are worth considering in clinical practice. Media-based interventions may, in some cases, be enough to make clinically significant changes in a child's behaviour, and may reduce the amount of time primary care workers have to devote to each case. They can also be used as the first stage of a stepped care approach. Consequently this would increase the number of families who could possibly benefit from these types of intervention, releasing clinician time that can be reallocated to more complex cases. Media-based therapies would therefore appear to have both clinical and economic implications as regards the treatment of children with behavioural problems.
Abstract.
2005
Bjornstad GJ (2005). Family therapy for attention-deficit disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews(2).
2004
Underwood MK, Scott BL, Galperin MB, Bjornstad GJ, Sexton AM (2004). An Observational Study of Social Exclusion Under Varied Conditions: Gender and Developmental Differences. Child Development, 75(5), 1538-1555.