Peaceful Coexistence Curriculum for Antiextremism

Overseen By Melissa Beck

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of North Carolina, Greensboro

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

1500 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Researcher from UNC Greensboro have partnered with Prevention Strategies and key stakeholders from the Kingdom of Bahrain to conduct a study using the innovative, engineering-inspired methodological approach, the Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST), to optimize and evaluate the Peaceful Coexistence and Anti-Extremism middle and high school curricula. No other curriculum targeting tolerance and/or extremism has been optimized using the state-of-the-art MOST methodology. The overall goal of the project is that the optimized versions of Peaceful Coexistence and Anti-Extremism curricula will be used across the Kingdom of Bahrain and translated for use in other countries to combat the spread of extremism and intolerance. Additionally, the D.A.R.E. keepin' it REAL (kiR) and D.A.R.E. myPlaybook high school programs will be evaluated as part of the Peaceful Coexistence and Anti-Extremism evaluation.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Peaceful Coexistence?

The Peaceful Coexistence treatment may find indirect support from the Islamic Trauma Healing intervention, which showed significant improvements in trauma-related symptoms and well-being by integrating faith-based principles with psychotherapy. This suggests that combining cultural or faith-based elements with therapeutic practices can be effective in addressing psychological issues. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the Peaceful Coexistence treatment differ from other treatments for antiextremism?

The Peaceful Coexistence treatment is unique because it focuses on involving both civil and political society to address extremism and radicalization, emphasizing a systemic and community-based approach rather than relying solely on security measures or punitive actions. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for Bahraini middle or high school students, their parents, and D.A.R.E. officers teaching in Bahrain. It aims to optimize curricula promoting tolerance and combating extremism.

Inclusion Criteria

Public or private Bahraini middle or high school students.

In addition to the main evaluation questions, the following groups will also be included to make programmatic improvements.

Parents of above mentioned middle or high school students.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Classrooms receive the Peaceful Coexistence or Anti-extremism curricula

Duration not specified

Sessions conducted in classrooms

Evaluation

Evaluation of D.A.R.E. keepin' it REAL and D.A.R.E. myPlaybook programs

Immediately post intervention

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in attitudes and skills related to extremism and tolerance

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Peaceful Coexistence

Trial Overview The study tests the 'Peaceful Coexistence' curriculum using an advanced method called MOST to enhance anti-extremism education. The goal is to refine these programs for broader use in Bahrain and potentially other countries.

Participant Groups

Group I: Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Classrooms assigned to the intervention group will receive the Peaceful Coexistence (middle school) or Anti-extremism (high school) curricula.

Group II: No intervention Active Control 1 Intervention

Classrooms assigned to the No intervention group will receive general information during their sessions.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of North Carolina, Greensboro

Lead Sponsor

Trials

33

Recruited

16,700+

Findings from Research

Psychoeducation has been effectively used for over 20 years to support families of patients with psychiatric illnesses, and adapting this approach for patients themselves has shown positive effects on their functioning and attitudes.

The psychoeducation model aims to enhance patients' understanding of their psychiatric conditions and treatments, encourage group discussions for better integration of knowledge, and teach management skills to help them cope with their illnesses.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Patient psychoeducation: the therapeutic use of knowledge for the mentally ill. Hayes, R., Gantt, A.[2015]

References

1. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reaching the Unreached: Bridging Islam and Science to Treat the Mental Wounds of War. [2021]

2. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Training of psychotherapists in post-conflict regions: A Community case study in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. [2022]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Family-responsive psychoeducation groups for families with an adult member with mental illness: pilot results. [2019]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Patient psychoeducation: the therapeutic use of knowledge for the mentally ill. [2015]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Supporting migrants and refugees with posttraumatic stress disorder: development, pilot implementation, and pilot evaluation of a continuing interprofessional education for healthcare providers. [2021]

6. Belgium pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Contrasting extremism and radicalisation in a syndemic society. [2023]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of a training program on the prevention of violent radicalization for health and education professionals. [2022]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dealing With Radicalised Youth Offenders: The Development and Implementation of a Youth-Specific Framework. [2023]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Grassroots community actors leading the way in the prevention of youth violent radicalization. [2020]

10. Croatia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Part I: Muslims, social inclusion and the West. Exploring challenges faced by stigmatized groups. [2019]