Emotional neglect recognition and help-seeking among adolescents in Brussels
Help-Seeking Behavior in Cases of Emotional Neglect: The Decision-Making Process of Adolescents in Dutch-Speaking Secondary Education in Brussels
This project tests whether Dutch-speaking secondary school adolescents in Brussels can recognize emotional neglect and if recognizing it makes them more likely to seek help.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 500 (estimated) |
| Ages | 11 Years to 25 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Vrije Universiteit Brussel Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Brussels, Brussels Capital) |
| Trial ID | NCT07365891 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Researchers will run an online survey with Dutch-speaking adolescents enrolled in full-time secondary education in the Brussels-Capital Region. Each participant reads one of four short vignettes about an adolescent experiencing emotional neglect that vary by character gender and by how clearly neglect is depicted. After the vignette, participants answer questions about their recognition of the situation, what they would do, and their intentions to seek help, plus items about their own experiences and attitudes toward help-seeking. Data will be analyzed to compare recognition by gender and to test whether recognition predicts intention to seek help.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Dutch-speaking adolescents aged 11–25 who are enrolled in regular full-time secondary education in the Brussels-Capital Region and whose adolescent and parent/guardian consent is provided are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Adolescents who are younger than 11 or older than 25, not enrolled in Dutch-language full-time secondary education, or attending school outside the Brussels-Capital Region are not eligible and unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could help schools and health educators design clearer messages and programs to improve early recognition of emotional neglect and encourage adolescents to seek help.
How similar studies have performed: Vignette-based online surveys have been used successfully in prior adolescent research on abuse recognition and help-seeking, so the method is well-established.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age: adolescents aged 11-25 years; * Education: enrolled in regular full-time secondary education; * School location: Brussels-Capital Region; * School language: Dutch; * Consent: informed consent provided by the adolescent and their parent(s)/guardian. Exclusion Criteria: * Age: younger than 11 years or older than 25 years; * Education: not enrolled in regular full-time secondary education; * School location: outside the Brussels-Capital Region; * School language: non - Dutch-speaking; * Consent: informed consent not provided by the adolescent or their parent(s)/guardian.
Where this trial is running
Brussels, Brussels Capital
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel — Brussels, Brussels Capital, Belgium (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Fiona Roulent
- Email: Fiona.Madona.Roulent@vub.be
- Phone: +32 2 629 36 52
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.