Claire van der Westhuizen

Dr. Claire van der Westhuizen

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

14Years (2013-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 August 2019 in Pediatrics
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
SSSarah Skeen
Sarah Skeen
CLChristina A. Laurenzi
Christina A. Laurenzi
SGSarah L. Gordon
Sarah L. Gordon
STStefani du Toit
Stefani du Toit
MTMark Tomlinson
Mark Tomlinson
GMG.J. Melendez-Torres
G.J. Melendez-Torres
CONTEXT: Although adolescent mental health interventions are widely implemented, little consensus exists about elements comprising successful models. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify effective program components of interventions to promote mental health and prevent mental disorders and risk behaviors during adolescence and to match these components across these key health outcomes to inform future multicomponent intervention development. DATA SOURCES: A total of 14 600 records were identified, and 158 studies were included. STUDY SELECTION: Studies included universally delivered psychosocial interventions administered to adolescents ages 10 to 19. We included studies published between 2000 and 2018, using PubMed, Medline, PsycINFO, Scopus, Embase, and Applied Social Sciences Index Abstracts databases. We included randomized controlled, cluster randomized controlled, factorial, and crossover trials. Outcomes included positive mental health, depressive and anxious symptomatology, violence perpetration and bullying, and alcohol and other substance use. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were extracted by 3 researchers who identified core components and relevant outcomes. Interventions were separated by modality; data were analyzed by using a robust variance estimation meta-analysis model, and we estimated a series of single-predictor meta-regression models using random effects. RESULTS: Universally delivered interventions can improve adolescent mental health and reduce risk behavior. Of 7 components with consistent signals of effectiveness, 3 had significant effects over multiple outcomes (interpersonal skills, emotional regulation, and alcohol and drug education). LIMITATIONS: Most included studies were from high-income settings, limiting the applicability of these findings to low- and middle-income countries. Our sample included only trials. CONCLUSIONS: Three program components emerged as consistently effective across different outcomes, providing a basis for developing future multioutcome intervention programs.

1 August 2015 in Journal of Neuroscience Methods
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
DSD.J. Stein
D.J. Stein
NKN. Koen
N. Koen
KDKirsten A Donald
Kirsten A Donald
CAC.M. Adnams
C.M. Adnams
SKS. Koopowitz
S. Koopowitz
HZH.J. Zar
H.J. Zar

30 June 2015 in International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
CWClaire van der Westhuizen
Claire van der Westhuizen
GWGail Wyatt
Gail Wyatt
JWJohn K. Williams
John K. Williams
DSDan J. Stein
Dan J. Stein
KSKatherine Sorsdahl
Katherine Sorsdahl

15 January 2019 in BMJ Open
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Bronwyn MyersBronwyn Myers
Bronwyn Myers
PPPetal Petersen-Williams
Petal Petersen-Williams
CWClaire van der Westhuizen
Claire van der Westhuizen
CLCrick Lund
Crick Lund
CLCarl Lombard
Carl Lombard
KSKatherine Sorsdahl
Katherine Sorsdahl
Objectives To examine the feasibility and acceptability of integrating a ‘designated’ approach to community health worker (CHW)-delivered mental health counselling (where existing CHWs deliver counselling in addition to usual duties) and a ‘dedicated’ approach (where additional CHWs have the sole responsibility of delivering mental health counselling) into chronic disease care. Design A feasibility test of a designated and dedicated approach to CHW-delivered counselling and qualitative interviews of CHWs delivering the counselling. Setting Four primary healthcare clinics in the Western Cape, South Africa allocated to either a designated or dedicated approach and stratified by urban/rural status. Participants Forty chronic disease patients (20 with HIV, 20 with diabetes) reporting hazardous alcohol use or depression. Interviews with seven CHWs. Intervention Three sessions of structured mental health counselling. Main outcome measures We assessed feasibility by examining the proportion of patients who were willing to be screened, met inclusion criteria, provided consent, completed counselling and were retained in the study. Acceptability of these delivery approaches was assessed through qualitative interviews of CHWs. Results Regardless of approach, a fair proportion (67%) of eligible patients were willing to receive mental health counselling. Patients who screened positive for depression were more likely to be interested in counselling than those with hazardous alcohol only. Retention in counselling (85%) and the study (90%) was good and did not differ by approach. Both dedicated and designated CHWs viewed the counselling package as highly acceptable but requested additional training and support to facilitate implementation. Conclusions Dedicated and designated approaches to CHW-delivered mental health counselling were matched in terms of their feasibility and acceptability. A comparative efficacy trial of these approaches is justified, with some adjustments to the training and implementation protocols to provide further support to CHWs.

1 June 2016 in Drug and Alcohol Review
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
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CWClaire van der Westhuizen
Claire van der Westhuizen
GWGail Wyatt
Gail Wyatt
JWJohn K. Williams
John K. Williams
DSDan J. Stein
Dan J. Stein
KSKatherine Sorsdahl
Katherine Sorsdahl

16 May 2016 in Journal of Urban Health
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
RMRiche Members
Riche Members
TOTolu Oni
Tolu Oni
Warren SmitWarren Smit
Warren Smit
RMRichard Matzopoulos
Richard Matzopoulos
JAJo Hunter Adams
Jo Hunter Adams
ELEstelle Lambert
Estelle Lambert