Q2. What was the primary outcome of the STARS trial?
In this secondary analysis the authors used both intervention and control teacher data since the intervention had no detectable effect on teachers’ mental health4.
Q3. What are the inclusion criteria for the AccEPT clinic?
The AccEPT clinic has the following inclusion criteria: aged 18 or over, current depression defined as above a score of 15 in the Patient Health Questionnaire, resident in Exeter or East Devon and able to engage in psychological therapy5.
Q4. How many teachers were enrolled in the STARS trial?
Headteachers were asked to nominate one teacher, who taught a class within the set criteria for at least four days per week, to participate in the STARS trial and be randomised to attend a TCM course or teach as usual.
Q5. How many teachers scored above the cut-point?
Of the 52 teachers with data at all timepoints 23 (44%, 95% CI 30 to 59%) scored above the cut-point at least once, while 5 teachers (10%, 95% CI 3 to 21%) consistently reported this level of psychological distress.
Q6. How many children were in the STARS trial?
Schools across the South West of England were invited to take part if they had a single-year class with 15 or more children aged between 4 and 8 years.
Q7. What was the purpose of the study?
STARS was a cluster randomised controlled trial designed to evaluate whether the Incredible Years® Teacher Classroom Management (TCM) course improved individual children’s mental health.
Q8. What are the reasons why teachers were selected?
Qualitative findings from STARS suggest that teachers were selected for a variety of reasons, which included newly qualified teacher status, allocation of a class known to be particularly challenging, orknown interest in behaviour management4.
Q9. What is the significance of the EFQ scores?
Their results are consistent with high rates of moderate to severe depressive symptoms reported in a recent cross-sectional survey of UK secondary school teachers8 in which 19% of teachers scored 10 or more on the PHQ.