UP-GRADE: Assessment Pathways for Psychopathological Aspects and Psychological Support in the Adolescent Population

The objective of the observational study "UP-GRADE: Assessment of Psychopathological Aspects and Psychological Support in the Adolescent Age Group of the Population. A Monocentric Longitudinal Interventional Study with Prospective Enrollment of Pediatric Patients Aged 14-17 with Psychosocial Distress in the Pediatric Department of the Policlinico San Matteo in Pavia" is to explore the psycho-emotional state of a sample of adolescents aged 14-17 in a population of patients under the care of the Pediatric Unit, at the Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo. The study aims to estimate the proportion of subjects with altered anxiety levels (compared to the reference population). A secondary objective is to estimate the proportion of subjects with distress levels (compared to the reference population) in other psychosocial areas, based on the Q-PAD questionnaire score. Additionally, for patients with altered scores in at least one subscale of the Q-PAD, the study will assess the effect of a psychological support program consisting of 10 counseling sessions. The subjects involved in the study must meet the following inclusion criteria: being aged between 14 and 17 at the time of enrollment, having access to hospital services, having exhibited psychosocial distress, understanding the Italian language, and signing informed consent. Finally, it is specified that the study does not involve any interventions or potentially invasive instrumental investigations.

The protocol is structured in two phases: an initial screening meeting and the follow-up of each participant through 10 psychological support sessions.The follow-up will consist of 10 psychological support sessions, each lasting 1 hour, at a biweekly interval. It is specified that during the second meeting, the Q-PAD questionnaire-used for the evaluation of psychopathology in adolescence-will be administered. Finally, a retest with the same questionnaire will be conducted at the end of the last psychological support session.