Evaluating the Group Responses After Disasters and Emergencies (GRADE) psychosocial training package pilot: A feasibility randomised controlled trial with trauma-exposed managers in the civil service
Charlotte E. Hall, Freya Mills, Helena Wehling, Neil Greenberg, Dale Weston, Alex F. Martin, Samantha K. BrooksObjective:
This study assessed the feasibility of delivering and evaluating the Group Responses After Disasters and Emergencies (GRADE) training intervention among managers in trauma-exposed roles.
Method:
A pre-registered two-arm randomised controlled feasibility trial was conducted with managers from UK Government (https://osf.io/4jt7f). Outcomes were assessed via online surveys at three time points. Qualitative interviews explored participants’ experiences of the training.
Results:
Recruitment generated interest, but participant uptake and retention were limited. Although underpowered, peer literacy was responsive to the intervention showing a large immediate effect. There was not a reliable intervention effect on attitudes towards mental health, but qualitative findings suggest that this could be due to high pre-existing attitudes.
Conclusion:
This study suggests that the GRADE training intervention is feasible and had a positive impact on increasing managers’ confidence to speak with their employees.