The Effectiveness of Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT) on Emotion Regulation, Psychological Distress, and Resilience in Adolescents with Childhood Trauma and Externalizing Symptoms
Overall Objective
1. The effectiveness of mentalization-based therapy on emotion regulation, psychological distress, and resilience in adolescents with childhood trauma
Sub-objectives
1. Determining the effectiveness of mentalization-based therapy on emotion regulation in adolescents with childhood trauma and externalizing symptoms
2. Determining the effectiveness of mentalization-based therapy on psychological distress in adolescents with childhood trauma and externalizing symptoms
3. Determining the effectiveness of mentalization-based therapy on resilience in adolescents with childhood trauma and externalizing symptoms
Design
This trial was conducted with a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest design with a control group and random assignment in one phase on 40 subjects in the experimental group.
Settings and conduct
This study was conducted over two months, with two 90-minute sessions per week, at the Comprehensive Health Clinic of the Vice Chancellor for Medical Sciences, Shiraz Azad University, without blinding.
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Adolescents in the age range (12 to 18 years)
Having externalizing symptoms based on the Achenbach Child Behavior Questionnaire
Willingness to participate in the research (informed consent)
Intervention groups
This study included two intervention groups (experimental and control groups). The experimental group received an 8-session mindfulness-based intervention, two sessions per week, for two months. The control group was free during this period and did not receive any intervention.
Main outcome variables
Emotional,
regulation Psychological and
distress Resilience
General information
Reason for update
Acronym
MBT
IRCT registration information
IRCT registration number:IRCT20260513069386N1
Registration date:2026-05-21, 1405/02/31
Registration timing:prospective
Last update:2026-05-21, 1405/02/31
Update count:0
Registration date
2026-05-21, 1405/02/31
Registrant information
Name
Ailar Akbari
Name of organization / entity
Country
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Phone
+98 71 3627 9125
Email address
ailar.akbari@iau.ir
Recruitment status
recruiting
Funding source
Expected recruitment start date
2026-07-20, 1405/04/29
Expected recruitment end date
2026-09-20, 1405/06/29
Actual recruitment start date
empty
Actual recruitment end date
empty
Trial completion date
empty
Scientific title
The Effectiveness of Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT) on Emotion Regulation, Psychological Distress, and Resilience in Adolescents with Childhood Trauma and Externalizing Symptoms
Public title
The Effec of Mentalization Treatment on Emotion Regulation, Psychological Distress, and Resilience
Purpose
Treatment
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
Having externalizing symptoms based on the Achenbach Child Behavioral Inventory
Power to participate in the research (informed consent)
Adolescents in the age range (12 to 18 years)
Exclusion criteria:
Cancellation of further cooperation
Absence of more than two sessions of concurrent participation in similar psychotherapy programs or emotion-based interventions, which could affect the results of the study.
History of receiving psychological interventions and taking psychiatric medications within the past 6 months
Diagnosis of chronic and severe psychological disorders (major depression, bipolar disorders, conduct disorder, psychotic disorders, and personality disorders)
Age
From 12 years old to 18 years old
Gender
Both
Phase
1
Groups that have been masked
No information
Sample size
Target sample size:
40
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
Randomized
Randomization description
Initially, based on the entry criteria, 40 subjects will be selected purposively and then, using a simple random method, the subjects will be assigned to two groups of 20, the experimental and control groups. Regarding the method of drawing lots, one name from each name bag will be placed in the experimental group and the next name will be placed in the control group.
Blinding (investigator's opinion)
Not blinded
Blinding description
Placebo
Not used
Assignment
Parallel
Other design features
Secondary Ids
empty
Ethics committees
1
Ethics committee
Name of ethics committee
Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University of Shiraz
Street address
Faculty of Dentistry, Alley 14, South Ghaani Street
City
Shiraz
Province
Fars
Postal code
۷۱۹۵۶۱۵۸۷۸
Approval date
2026-05-13, 1405/02/23
Ethics committee reference number
IR.IAU.SHIRAZ.REC.1405.028
Health conditions studied
1
Description of health condition studied
Emotion Regulation
ICD-10 code
ICD-10 code description
2
Description of health condition studied
Psychological Distress
ICD-10 code
ICD-10 code description
3
Description of health condition studied
Resilience
ICD-10 code
ICD-10 code description
Primary outcomes
1
Description
Emotion Regulation
Timepoint
Emotional regulation was measured before the intervention began and a second time, two months after the intervention period, was measured at the post-test.
Method of measurement
Gross and John's Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (2003)
2
Description
Psychological Distress
Timepoint
psychological distress was measured before the intervention began and a second time, two months after the intervention period, was measured at the post-test.
Method of measurement
Kessler et al.'s Psychological Distress Questionnaire (2003)
3
Description
Resilience
Timepoint
resilience was measured before the intervention began and a second time, two months after the intervention period, was measured at the post-test.
Method of measurement
Connor and Davidson's Resilience Questionnaire (2003)
Secondary outcomes
1
Description
Childhood trauma
Timepoint
Childhood trauma was measured before the intervention began and a second time, two months after the intervention period, was measured at the post-test.
externalizing symptoms was measured before the intervention began and a second time, two months after the intervention period, was measured at the post-test.
Method of measurement
Bernstein et al.'s Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) (2003)
Intervention groups
1
Description
Intervention group: Intervention group: Based on the mentalization-based therapy intervention approach derived from the Malberg protocol (2021), they will receive 8 intensive sessions (2 hours) over a period of two months (one session per week).
Category
Behavior
2
Description
Control group: After the pre-test, this group was left free for two months and then re-tested.
Category
Behavior
Recruitment centers
1
Recruitment center
Name of recruitment center
Rahavard Mokashefe Vojod Clinic
Full name of responsible person
Dr. Hamideh Beik
Street address
Unit 5, 3rd Floor, Hakimi Medical Complex, West Hakimi Street, Molla Sadra
City
Shiraz
Province
Fars
Postal code
7134614151
Phone
+98 917 208 0748
Email
Hamideh.beik59@gmail0com
Sponsors / Funding sources
1
Sponsor
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Mohammad Amin Shaygan
Street address
Shiraz Islamic Azad University, 5th km of Sadra Road
City
Shiraz
Province
Fars
Postal code
۷۱۹۶۴۸۴۴۷۱
Phone
+98 71 3641 0041
Email
info@iaushiraz.ac.ir
Grant name
Grant code / Reference number
Is the source of funding the same sponsor organization/entity?
Deidentified Individual Participant Data Set (IPD)
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Study Protocol
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Statistical Analysis Plan
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Informed Consent Form
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Clinical Study Report
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Analytic Code
No - There is not a plan to make this available
Data Dictionary
No - There is not a plan to make this available
Title and more details about the data/document
All information and data collected, after being de-identified, will be shared to assist in relevant studies and future research.
When the data will become available and for how long
Data access will begin 6 months after the results are published.
To whom data/document is available
Psychology professors, researchers, and students are allowed to request data and other documentation.
Under which criteria data/document could be used
The data will be used to develop future research results and meta-analyses.
From where data/document is obtainable
Applicants can contact the corresponding author's academic email address to receive the data. ailar.akbari@iau.ir
What processes are involved for a request to access data/document
After submitting their application, applicants will be able to receive the data within one month by attaching research documentation demonstrating the necessity of the data to achieve the research goals.