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.

Abstract

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. 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. 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. This study suggests that the GRADE training intervention is feasible and had a positive impact on increasing managers' confidence to speak with their employees.