How many will participate and for how long?

We will enroll 480 students in HSTS. Of these, 240 students will participate in the intervention group, and 240 students will be enrolled in the non-intervention comparison group (or “control group”).  (Please click here for a explanation of what we mean by “intervention” and “control group”)

 

All participants will enter the study in Spring Semester of 8th grade and complete the study in Spring Semester of 9th grade.

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Who funds HSTS?

          The High School Transition Study is funded by the National Institutes of Health.

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Who are the leaders of HSTS?

The Investigators for the High School Transition Study are Dr. Ann Vander Stoep, a psychiatric epidemiologist, and Dr. Elizabeth McCauley, a clinical psychologist. They have used their expertise in children’s mental health and public health and clinical research to design and carry out the High School Transition Study. For over 20 years they have conducted research to benefit children in King County. Both are parents of children who attended Seattle Public Schools.

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Which schools are participating?

¨     Aki Kurose Middle School Academy

¨     Eckstein Middle School

¨     Hamilton International Middle School

¨     Meany Middle School

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Who is eligible for the study?

All 8th graders who return a consent form in participating Seattle Public Schools will complete a brief Stress and Coping Screening questionnaire. Those students whose questionnaires show an elevated level of stress or distress (about 20% of students) will be invited to participate in the study. 

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What happens for students after the stress and coping screen?

All students whose screening questionnaires show signs of stress/distress will receive an individual clinical follow-up and assessment from a University of Washington Child Mental Health Professional. The specialist will assist the students and their parents/guardians in making an action plan and finding needed resources.

 

Those who meet eligibility criteria (e.g. screening in the top 20% ) and who consent to participate in the study will be randomly assigned to either the HSTS intervention group or the control group.

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Study Information

High School Transition Study

General Information