Usefulness and utilization of treatment elements from the Transdiagnostic Sleep and Circadian Intervention for adolescents with an evening circadian preference

Objective: Existing research has demonstrated that patient ratings of usefulness and ratings of utilization of treatment elements are associated with treatment outcome. Few studies have examined this relationship among adolescents and with an extended follow-up. This study examined the extent to which elements of the Transdiagnostic Sleep and Circadian Intervention (TranS-C) were rated by youth as useful and utilized 6-months and 12-months after treatment. Method: Participants were 64 adolescents with an evening circadian preference who were given TranS-C as a part of their participation in a NICHD-funded study. At 6-month and 12-month follow-up, they completed the Usefulness Scale, the Utilization Scale, a 7-day sleep diary assessing total sleep time (TST) and bedtime, and the Children's Momingness-Eveningness Preference Scale (CMEP). Results: On average, adolescents rated treatment elements as moderately useful and they utilized the treatment elements occasionally. Ratings of usefulness were associated with TST at 6-month follow-up, but not with bedtime or CMEP. Ratings of utilization were associated with a change in bedtime from 6-month to 12-month follow-up, but not with TST or CMEP. Ratings of usefulness and utilization were associated with selected treatment outcome measures at both follow-ups. Conclusions: These findings have implications for understanding mechanisms of change following treatment.