Trauma Therapy for Weight-Based Bullying in Children

Sponsor
Western University
Study ID
NCT07685990
Status
Not Yet Recruiting

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Conditions

  • Pediatric Obesity
  • Psychological Trauma
  • Weight-based Bullying

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
10 Years - 17 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Trauma Therapy for Weight-Based Bullying Informed by TF-CBT — BEHAVIORAL
    This intervention is a trauma therapy program for children and adolescents experiencing distress related to weight-based bullying. The intervention is informed by the core principles and components of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and is adapted to address bullying-related trauma, body image concerns, emotional distress, maladaptive eating behaviours, and weight-related stigma. The intervention includes psychoeducation, emotional regulation and coping skills, cognitive coping strategies, trauma narrative development and processing, body image and stigma-related cognitive restructuring, caregiver support strategies, and safety planning as clinically indicated. Treatment is developmentally tailored and delivered virtually within the HEAL Program at Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre. Participants will complete approximately 12 weekly therapy sessions delivered by a trained MSW/RSW clinician.

Study Details

The goal of this feasibility study is to learn whether a trauma therapy intervention for children and adolescents who have experienced weight-based bullying can be successfully delivered within a pediatric weight management program. The intervention is informed by Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) principles and is designed to address trauma-related distress, body image concerns, emotional difficulties, and eating-related challenges associated with weight-based bullying. The main questions this study aims to answer are: * Can this trauma therapy intervention be feasibly implemented within the HEAL Program at Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre? * Is the intervention acceptable and helpful for participating children, adolescents, and caregivers? * Are exploratory changes observed in trauma symptoms, emotional well-being, self-esteem, eating-related concerns, and weight-related distress following participation in the intervention? Participants will: * Participate in approximately 12 weekly virtual therapy sessions, with flexibility for additional sessions if clinically needed * Complete questionnaires before and after treatment related to emotional well-being, trauma symptoms, eating-related concerns, and body image * Participate in selected caregiver-supported sessions during treatment * Optionally complete a brief feedback interview about their experience in the program after treatment is completed The study will also examine recruitment, attendance, treatment completion, and participant satisfaction to help determine whether this intervention can be implemented in routine clinical care settings.

Key Dates

First listed
Jul 6, 2026
Start date
Sep 1, 2026
Status verified
Jul 2026
Primary completion
Jun 30, 2028
Completion
Dec 30, 2028

Study Design

Enrollment
30 participants (estimated)
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Trauma Therapy Intervention for Weight-Based Bullying
    Participants in this single-arm feasibility study will receive a trauma therapy intervention for weight-based bullying informed by Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) principles. The intervention is delivered virtually within the HEAL Program at Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre and consists of approximately 12 weekly therapy sessions. Treatment focuses on trauma-related distress associated with weight-based bullying, including emotional regulation, coping skills, cognitive processing, trauma narrative work, body image concerns, and caregiver support strategies. Sessions are delivered by a trained MSW/RSW clinician.

Primary Outcome Measure

Outcome Measure 1: Recruitment Rate [ Time Frame: Throughout the recruitment period- up to 24 months ]

Central Contacts

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