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Pilot cluster randomised controlled trial of Stepping Stones and Creating Futures Plus to reduce emotional dysregulation among young men in rural areas and urban informal settlements in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

Author

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  • Princess Nyoni
  • Andrew Tomita
  • Smanga Mkhwanazi
  • Andrew Gibbs

Abstract

Aim: Emotional dysregulation (ED) – the difficulty to control emotional responses to stressors – is a potential driver of intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration among young men in HIV endemic resource-limited settings. This two-armed pilot cluster randomised controlled trial investigated the effectiveness of Stepping Stones and Creating Futures Plus (SSCF+), a participatory gender transformative and livelihood strengthening intervention, on the emotional dysregulation (ED) among young men in South Africa (SA). Methods: A total of 163 young men ages 18 to 30 years were recruited in 30 clusters (friendship groups) in urban informal settlements and rural areas in KwaZulu-Natal, SA. Clusters were randomly allocated (1:1) to either the experimental SSCF+ or control arm, stratified urban/rural and participants were followed-up at 5 months. Intention-to-treat analysis based on generalised estimating equations (GEE) were fitted to quantify the impact of SSCF+ on the men’s ED using the culturally tested short version of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale with 16 items (DERS-16). Results: At 5 months SSCF+ did not significantly reduce ED in the overall sample. However, SSCF+ had a significant impact on ED among the men at risk of depression at baseline (adjusted odds ratio = 0.12, 95% CI [0.03, 0.46], p  = .002). Conclusion: SSCF+, a gender transformative and livelihoods strengthening intervention designed to address poverty and other socio-economic challenges, reduced ED among youth with depression challenges in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa.

Suggested Citation

  • Princess Nyoni & Andrew Tomita & Smanga Mkhwanazi & Andrew Gibbs, 2025. "Pilot cluster randomised controlled trial of Stepping Stones and Creating Futures Plus to reduce emotional dysregulation among young men in rural areas and urban informal settlements in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 71(5), pages 863-874, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:71:y:2025:i:5:p:863-874
    DOI: 10.1177/00207640241306062
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    References listed on IDEAS

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