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Trauma Therapy for Weight-Based Bullying in Children

1 juli 2026 bijgewerkt door: Marina Ybarra, Western University

Trauma Therapy for Weight-Based Bullying in Children Informed by TF-CBT Principles: A Feasibility Study

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.

Studie Overzicht

Toestand

Nog niet aan het werven

Conditie

Interventie / Behandeling

Gedragsmatig: Trauma Therapy for Weight-Based Bullying Informed by TF-CBT

Gedetailleerde beschrijving

Weight-based bullying is increasingly recognized as a significant contributor to psychological distress among children and adolescents living with obesity. Youth who experience bullying related to body size are at increased risk for anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, social withdrawal, disordered eating behaviours, and trauma-related symptoms, including shame, avoidance, hypervigilance, and emotional distress. Repeated experiences of weight-based victimization may function as a form of interpersonal trauma for some youth and may negatively affect emotional well-being, family functioning, and engagement in obesity treatment programs. Despite growing recognition of these impacts, there are currently no established trauma therapies specifically designed to address the psychological consequences of weight-based bullying in pediatric populations.

This study is a single-arm mixed-methods feasibility study evaluating a trauma therapy intervention for weight-based bullying informed by Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) principles. The intervention is adapted to address trauma-related distress associated with weight-based bullying, body image concerns, maladaptive eating behaviours, emotional dysregulation, and avoidance patterns among children and adolescents living with obesity. The intervention retains the core principles and components of TF-CBT while tailoring psychoeducation, coping skills, cognitive processing, and trauma narrative work to experiences related to weight-based bullying and stigma.

The study will take place within the Paediatric Healthy Eating, Activity and Lifestyle (HEAL) Program at Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre in London, Ontario, Canada. Approximately 30 children and adolescents between the ages of 10 and 17 years who report distress related to weight-based bullying experiences will be recruited from the HEAL Program. One caregiver will also participate in selected components of treatment and study assessments. Recruitment will occur through routine clinical care within the HEAL Program.

The primary objectives of this study are to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of implementing the intervention within a real-world pediatric weight management setting. Feasibility outcomes include recruitment and enrollment rates, participant retention, session attendance, caregiver participation, treatment completion, intervention delivery, and completion of study measures. The study will also assess implementation feasibility by tracking the number of eligible participants approached and the proportion who express interest and enroll in the intervention. Acceptability outcomes include participant and caregiver satisfaction, perceived helpfulness of the intervention, and engagement with treatment content.

Exploratory clinical outcomes will also be examined using standardized self-report measures completed before and after treatment. These measures assess trauma-related symptoms, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, eating-related psychopathology, weight bias internalization, self-compassion, and psychosocial impairment. Participants and caregivers may also complete optional qualitative feedback interviews following treatment completion to provide additional insight into participant experiences, perceived benefits, challenges, and recommendations for future implementation.

The intervention will typically consist of approximately 12 weekly virtual therapy sessions delivered through secure virtual care platforms used within London Health Sciences Centre, with flexibility for additional sessions based on clinical need. Sessions will be delivered by a trained Registered Social Worker (MSW/RSW). Therapy content includes psychoeducation regarding trauma and bullying, 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.

Given the use of trauma-focused intervention content and standardized mental health screening measures, any indication of elevated suicide risk or risk of harm to self or others identified during participation will be managed according to existing clinical protocols and standard of care within the HEAL Program. Appropriate risk assessment, safety planning, consultation, and referrals will occur as clinically indicated.

The findings from this feasibility study will help determine whether this trauma therapy intervention can be successfully integrated into routine pediatric obesity care settings and will inform the development of future larger-scale implementation and effectiveness studies.

Studietype

Ingrijpend

Inschrijving (Geschat)

Fase

Niet toepasbaar

Contacten en locaties

In dit gedeelte vindt u de contactgegevens van degenen die het onderzoek uitvoeren en informatie over waar dit onderzoek wordt uitgevoerd.

Studiecontact

Naam: Marina Ybarra, MD, MSc
Telefoonnummer: 75689/75751 519-685-8500
E-mail: Marina.Ybarra@lhsc.on.ca

Studie Contact Back-up

Naam: Anu N James, MSW, RSW
Telefoonnummer: 55235 519-685-8500
E-mail: anu.james@lhsc.on.ca

Studie Locaties

Canada
- Ontario
  - London, Ontario, Canada, N6A5W9
    - London Health Sciences Centre

Deelname Criteria

Onderzoekers zoeken naar mensen die aan een bepaalde beschrijving voldoen, de zogenaamde geschiktheidscriteria. Enkele voorbeelden van deze criteria zijn iemands algemene gezondheidstoestand of eerdere behandelingen.

Geschiktheidscriteria

Leeftijden die in aanmerking komen voor studie

Kind

Accepteert gezonde vrijwilligers

Nee

Beschrijving

Inclusion Criteria:

Children and adolescents aged 10-17 years enrolled in the HEAL Program at Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre
Self-reported experiences of weight-based bullying or weight-related teasing associated with emotional distress
Clinically appropriate for outpatient trauma therapy participation as determined by the study team
Ability to participate in virtual therapy sessions in English
Willingness of both participant and caregiver to participate in study procedures and intervention components
Ability of the participant and caregiver to provide informed assent/consent

Exclusion Criteria:

Acute psychiatric risk requiring a higher level of care (e.g.: active suicidal ideation with intent or plan, recent suicide attempt requiring crisis intervention, psychosis or loss of reality testing, severe psychiatric instability);
Severe eating disorder requiring specialized or intensive treatment;
Uncontrolled or medically unstable conditions requiring urgent or intensive intervention;
Developmental or cognitive conditions that significantly impair participation in TF-CBT;
Concurrent participation in other trauma-focused psychotherapy or interventions targeting trauma symptoms;
Pregnancy;
Lack of caregiver availability for treatment participation.
Not able to do virtual sessions

Studie plan

Dit gedeelte bevat details van het studieplan, inclusief hoe de studie is opgezet en wat de studie meet.

Hoe is de studie opgezet?

Ontwerpdetails

Primair doel: Behandeling
Toewijzing: NVT
Interventioneel model: Opdracht voor een enkele groep
Masker: Geen (open label)

Aantal wapens

Wapens en interventies

Deelnemersgroep / Arm	Interventie / Behandeling
Experimenteel: 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.	Gedragsmatig: Trauma Therapy for Weight-Based Bullying Informed by TF-CBT 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. Andere namen: TF-CBT-Informed Trauma Therapy Trauma Therapy for Weight-Based Bullying

Deelnemersgroep / Arm

Interventie / Behandeling

Experimenteel: 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.

Gedragsmatig: Trauma Therapy for Weight-Based Bullying Informed by TF-CBT

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.

Andere namen:

TF-CBT-Informed Trauma Therapy
Trauma Therapy for Weight-Based Bullying

Wat meet het onderzoek?

Primaire uitkomstmaten

Uitkomstmaat	Maatregel Beschrijving	Tijdsspanne
Outcome Measure 1: Recruitment Rate Tijdsspanne: Throughout the recruitment period- up to 24 months	Recruitment rate, defined as the proportion of eligible participants who consent and enroll in the study.	Throughout the recruitment period- up to 24 months
Outcome Measure 2: Session Attendance Tijdsspanne: Week 1 through Week 12	Session attendance, defined as the number and proportion of intervention sessions attended by each participant during the intervention period.	Week 1 through Week 12
Outcome Measure 3: Retention Rate Tijdsspanne: Week 0 through Week 14	Retention rate, defined as the proportion of enrolled participants who complete the post-treatment assessment.	Week 0 through Week 14
Outcome Measure 4: Treatment Completion Rate Tijdsspanne: Week 1 through Week 12	Treatment completion rate, defined as the proportion of participants who complete at least 10 of the 12 intervention sessions.	Week 1 through Week 12
Outcome Measure 5: Child Acceptability and Satisfaction Tijdsspanne: Week 14	Acceptability and satisfaction will be assessed using the study-specific Child Acceptability and Satisfaction Survey. Scores range from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater acceptability and satisfaction. Participants will also be invited to provide optional qualitative feedback regarding their experiences with the intervention and suggestions for improvement.	Week 14
Outcome Measure 6: Caregiver Acceptability and Satisfaction Tijdsspanne: Week 14	Acceptability and satisfaction will be assessed using the study-specific Caregiver Acceptability and Satisfaction Survey. Scores range from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater acceptability and satisfaction. Caregivers will also be invited to provide optional qualitative feedback regarding their experiences with the intervention and suggestions for improvement.	Week 14

Secundaire uitkomstmaten

Uitkomstmaat	Maatregel Beschrijving	Tijdsspanne
Outcome Measure 7: Trauma-Related Symptoms Tijdsspanne: Week 0 and Week 14	Exploratory changes in trauma-related symptoms will be assessed using the Children's Revised Impact of Event Scale-13 (CRIES-13). Total scores range from 0 to 65, with higher scores indicating greater trauma-related symptom severity.	Week 0 and Week 14
Outcome Measure 8: Anxiety Symptoms Tijdsspanne: Week 0 and Week 14	Exploratory changes in anxiety symptoms will be assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). Total scores range from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating greater anxiety symptom severity.	Week 0 and Week 14
Outcome Measure 9: Depressive Symptoms Tijdsspanne: Week 0 and Week 14	Exploratory changes in depressive symptoms will be assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Total scores range from 0 to 27, with higher scores indicating greater depressive symptom severity.	Week 0 and Week 14
Outcome Measure 10: Weight Bias Internalization Tijdsspanne: Week 0 and Week 14	Exploratory changes in weight bias internalization will be assessed using the Weight Bias Internalization Scale-Modified (WBIS-M). Mean scores range from 1 to 7, with higher scores indicating greater internalized weight bias.	Week 0 and Week 14
Outcome Measure 11: Eating-Related Psychopathology Tijdsspanne: Week 0 and Week 14	Exploratory changes in eating-related psychopathology will be assessed using the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q). Global scores range from 0 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater eating disorder psychopathology.	Week 0 and Week 14
Outcome Measure 12: Self-Esteem Tijdsspanne: Week 0 and Week 14	Exploratory changes in self-esteem will be assessed using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Total scores range from 10 to 40, with higher scores indicating greater self-esteem.	Week 0 and Week 14
Outcome Measure 13: Self-Compassion Tijdsspanne: Week 0 and Week 14	Exploratory changes in self-compassion will be assessed using the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS). Mean scores range from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater self-compassion.	Week 0 and Week 14
Outcome Measure 14: Psychosocial Impairment Tijdsspanne: Week 0 and Week 14	Exploratory changes in psychosocial impairment will be assessed using the Clinical Impairment Assessment (CIA). Total scores range from 0 to 48, with higher scores indicating greater psychosocial impairment related to eating, weight, and shape concerns.	Week 0 and Week 14

Medewerkers en onderzoekers

Hier vindt u mensen en organisaties die betrokken zijn bij dit onderzoek.

Sponsor

Western University

Onderzoekers

Hoofdonderzoeker: Marina Ybarra, MD, MSc, Division of Paediatric Endocrinology - Department of Paediatrics

Publicaties en nuttige links

De persoon die verantwoordelijk is voor het invoeren van informatie over het onderzoek stelt deze publicaties vrijwillig ter beschikking. Dit kan gaan over alles wat met het onderzoek te maken heeft.

Algemene publicaties

Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JB. The PHQ-9: validity of a brief depression severity measure. J Gen Intern Med. 2001 Sep;16(9):606-13. doi: 10.1046/j.1525-1497.2001.016009606.x.
Spitzer RL, Kroenke K, Williams JB, Lowe B. A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: the GAD-7. Arch Intern Med. 2006 May 22;166(10):1092-7. doi: 10.1001/archinte.166.10.1092.
Posner K, Brown GK, Stanley B, Brent DA, Yershova KV, Oquendo MA, Currier GW, Melvin GA, Greenhill L, Shen S, Mann JJ. The Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale: initial validity and internal consistency findings from three multisite studies with adolescents and adults. Am J Psychiatry. 2011 Dec;168(12):1266-77. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2011.10111704.
Whitaker RC, Wright JA, Pepe MS, Seidel KD, Dietz WH. Predicting obesity in young adulthood from childhood and parental obesity. N Engl J Med. 1997 Sep 25;337(13):869-73. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199709253371301.
Fairburn CG, Beglin SJ. Assessment of eating disorders: interview or self-report questionnaire? Int J Eat Disord. 1994 Dec;16(4):363-70.
Pearl RL, Puhl RM. Measuring internalized weight attitudes across body weight categories: validation of the modified weight bias internalization scale. Body Image. 2014 Jan;11(1):89-92. doi: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2013.09.005. Epub 2013 Oct 4.
Takizawa R, Maughan B, Arseneault L. Adult health outcomes of childhood bullying victimization: evidence from a five-decade longitudinal British birth cohort. Am J Psychiatry. 2014 Jul;171(7):777-84. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.13101401.
Freedman DS, Khan LK, Dietz WH, Srinivasan SR, Berenson GS. Relationship of childhood obesity to coronary heart disease risk factors in adulthood: the Bogalusa Heart Study. Pediatrics. 2001 Sep;108(3):712-8. doi: 10.1542/peds.108.3.712.
Perrin, S., Meiser-Stedman, R., & Smith, P. (2005). The Children's Revised Impact of Event Scale (CRIES): Validity as a screening instrument for PTSD. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 33(4), 487-498.
Bohn K, Doll HA, Cooper Z, O'Connor M, Palmer RL, Fairburn CG. The measurement of impairment due to eating disorder psychopathology. Behav Res Ther. 2008 Oct;46(10):1105-10. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2008.06.012. Epub 2008 Jul 2.
Guo SS, Roche AF, Chumlea WC, Gardner JD, Siervogel RM. The predictive value of childhood body mass index values for overweight at age 35 y. Am J Clin Nutr. 1994 Apr;59(4):810-9. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/59.4.810.
Fairburn, C. G. (2008). Cognitive behavior therapy and eating disorders. Guilford Press.
Rosenberg, M. (1965). Society and the adolescent self-image. Princeton University Press.
Durso LE, Latner JD. Understanding self-directed stigma: development of the weight bias internalization scale. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2008 Nov;16 Suppl 2:S80-6. doi: 10.1038/oby.2008.448.
Statistics Canada. (2017). Overweight and obesity based on measured body mass index among children and youth.
Neff, K. D. (2003). The development and validation of a scale to measure self-compassion. Self and Identity, 2(3), 223-250.
HEAL Research Database. (2024). Internal clinical dataset. Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre.
Fairburn, C. G., & Cooper, Z. (1993). The Eating Disorder Examination. In C. G. Fairburn & G. T. Wilson (Eds.), Binge eating: Nature, assessment, and treatment (pp. 317-360). Guilford Press
Cohen, J. A., Mannarino, A. P., & Deblinger, E. (2017). Treating trauma and traumatic grief in children and adolescents (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.
Bohn, K., & Fairburn, C. G. (2008). Clinical Impairment Assessment Questionnaire (CIA 3.0). In C. G. Fairburn, Cognitive behavior therapy and eating disorders. Guilford Press.
Wolke D, Lereya ST. Long-term effects of bullying. Arch Dis Child. 2015 Sep;100(9):879-85. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2014-306667. Epub 2015 Feb 10.
Wang J, Iannotti RJ, Nansel TR. School bullying among adolescents in the United States: physical, verbal, relational, and cyber. J Adolesc Health. 2009 Oct;45(4):368-75. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.03.021. Epub 2009 Jun 11.
Puhl RM, Luedicke J, Heuer C. Weight-based victimization toward overweight adolescents: observations and reactions of peers. J Sch Health. 2011 Nov;81(11):696-703. doi: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.2011.00646.x.
Puhl RM, Latner JD. Stigma, obesity, and the health of the nation's children. Psychol Bull. 2007 Jul;133(4):557-80. doi: 10.1037/0033-2909.133.4.557.
Pearl RL, Puhl RM. Weight bias internalization and health: a systematic review. Obes Rev. 2018 Aug;19(8):1141-1163. doi: 10.1111/obr.12701. Epub 2018 May 22.
Lydecker JA, Ozbardakci EV, Lou R, Grilo CM. Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents Bullied Because of Weight: A Feasibility Study. Int J Eat Disord. 2024 Oct;57(10):2117-2127. doi: 10.1002/eat.24257. Epub 2024 Jul 15.
Hunger JM, Tomiyama AJ. Weight labeling and obesity: a longitudinal study of girls aged 10 to 19 years. JAMA Pediatr. 2014 Jun;168(6):579-80. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2014.122. No abstract available.
Haines J, Neumark-Sztainer D, Eisenberg ME, Hannan PJ. Weight teasing and disordered eating behaviors in adolescents: longitudinal findings from Project EAT (Eating Among Teens). Pediatrics. 2006 Feb;117(2):e209-15. doi: 10.1542/peds.2005-1242.
Eisenberg ME, Neumark-Sztainer D, Story M. Associations of weight-based teasing and emotional well-being among adolescents. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2003 Aug;157(8):733-8. doi: 10.1001/archpedi.157.8.733.
Copeland WE, Wolke D, Angold A, Costello EJ. Adult psychiatric outcomes of bullying and being bullied by peers in childhood and adolescence. JAMA Psychiatry. 2013 Apr;70(4):419-26. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2013.504.

Studie record data

Deze datums volgen de voortgang van het onderzoeksdossier en de samenvatting van de ingediende resultaten bij ClinicalTrials.gov. Studieverslagen en gerapporteerde resultaten worden beoordeeld door de National Library of Medicine (NLM) om er zeker van te zijn dat ze voldoen aan specifieke kwaliteitscontrolenormen voordat ze op de openbare website worden geplaatst.

Bestudeer belangrijke data

Studie start (Geschat)

1 september 2026

Primaire voltooiing (Geschat)

30 juni 2028

Studie voltooiing (Geschat)

30 december 2028

Studieregistratiedata

Eerst ingediend

12 juni 2026

Eerst ingediend dat voldeed aan de QC-criteria

1 juli 2026

Eerst geplaatst (Werkelijk)

6 juli 2026

Updates van studierecords

Laatste update geplaatst (Werkelijk)

6 juli 2026

Laatste update ingediend die voldeed aan QC-criteria

1 juli 2026

Laatst geverifieerd

1 juli 2026

Meer informatie

Termen gerelateerd aan deze studie

Trefwoorden

Aanvullende relevante MeSH-voorwaarden

Andere studie-ID-nummers

HSREB#129267

Plan Individuele Deelnemersgegevens (IPD)

Bent u van plan om gegevens van individuele deelnemers (IPD) te delen?

NEE

Informatie over medicijnen en apparaten, studiedocumenten

Bestudeert een door de Amerikaanse FDA gereguleerd geneesmiddel

Nee

Bestudeert een door de Amerikaanse FDA gereguleerd apparaatproduct

Nee

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Trauma Therapy for Weight-Based Bullying in Children