Collecting genetic samples and linked mental health data from adolescents in schools: protocol co-production and a mixed-methods pilot of feasibility and acceptability

Warne, Naomi, Rook, Sarah, Bevan-Jones, Rhys ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8976-9825, Brown, Rachel ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4475-1733, Bates, Lesley, Hopkins-Jones, Lucinda, Evans, Alexandra ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7718-4413, Hall, Jeremy ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2737-9009, Langley, Kate ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2033-2657, Thapar, Anita ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3689-737X, Walters, James ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6980-4053, Murphy, Simon ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3589-3681, Moore, Graham ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6136-3978, Rice, Frances ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9484-1729 and Collishaw, Stephan ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4296-820X 2022. Collecting genetic samples and linked mental health data from adolescents in schools: protocol co-production and a mixed-methods pilot of feasibility and acceptability. BMJ Open 12 (2) , e049283. 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049283

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Abstract

Objectives To coproduce a school-based protocol and examine acceptability and feasibility of collecting saliva samples for genetic studies from secondary/high school students for the purpose of mental health research. Design Protocol coproduction and mixed-methods feasibility pilot. Setting Secondary schools in Wales, UK. Participants Students aged 11–13 years. Primary and secondary outcome measures Coproduced research protocol including an interactive science workshop delivered in schools; school, parental and student recruitment rates; adherence to protocol and adverse events; ability to extract and genotype saliva samples; student enjoyment of the science workshop and qualitative analysis of teacher focus groups on acceptability and feasibility. Results Five secondary schools participated in the coproduction phase, and three of these took part in the research study (eligible sample n=868 students). Four further schools were subsequently approached, but none participated. Parental opt-in consent was received from 98 parents (11.3% eligible sample), three parents (0.3%) actively refused and responses were not received for 767 (88.4%) parents. We obtained saliva samples plus consent for data linkage for 79 students. Only one sample was of insufficient quality to be genotyped. The science workshop received positive feedback from students. Feedback from teachers showed that undertaking research like this in schools is viewed as acceptable in principle, potentially feasible, but that there are important procedural barriers to be overcome. Key recommendations include establishing close working relationships between the research team and school classroom staff, together with improved methods for communicating with and engaging parents. Conclusions There are major challenges to undertaking large-scale genetic mental health research in secondary schools. Such research may be acceptable in principle, and in practice DNA collected from saliva in classrooms is of sufficient quality. However, key challenges that must be overcome include ensuring representative recruitment of schools and sufficient parental engagement where opt-in parental consent is required.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics (CNGG) Medicine Psychology
Publisher:	BMJ Publishing Group
ISSN:	2044-6055
Funders:	MRC, BHF
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	2 December 2021
Date of Acceptance:	16 November 2021
Last Modified:	10 Feb 2024 02:14
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/145873

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