An online solution focused brief therapy for adolescent anxiety during the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic: a structured summary of a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of delivering Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) through telecommunication with a group of adolescents who present anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 outbreak. We hypothesize that participants who are randomly assigned to receive 2–4 sessions of Solution Focused Brief Therapy would have better clinical outcomes than participants who are in the waitlist group. We additionally hypothesized that using SFBT can also change participants’ depression levels and their coping strategies in dealing with distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. TRIAL DESIGN: This study employs a randomized delayed crossover open label controlled trial in adolescents who are presenting anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 outbreak. Participants who meet the enrollment criteria stated below will be invited to participate in this study through telecommunication. Those accepting will be randomly allocated to the intervention group or waitlist group. PARTICIPANTS: 1. Adolescents between 11 and 18 years old who are currently in grade 7–12. 2. Manifesting anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 outbreak and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) 7 ≥ 10. 3. Having a legal guardian who has signed the informed consent and an adolescent willing to participate in this study. 4. Have a stable internet condition and a quiet space for receiving internet-based counseling. 1. Reporting suicidal ideation or plan during the past 2 weeks. 2. Receiving counseling service elsewhere. 3. Taking psychiatric medication. 4. Having another severe mental health diagnosis (e.g., bipolar disorder, psychosis). 5. Unwilling to have legal guardian sign the informed consent or participate in this study. All data were collected through a Chinese online survey tool called “Wen Juan Xing” (https://www.wjx.cn/) from the Faculty of Psychology at Beijing Normal University.