71 Randomized controlled trial of a social network intervention 3 with social network problems and limited social participation. We expect significantly enhanced mental wellbeing rates in FNC as compared to TAU alone, by improving social networks, social support, and social participation. The second aim is to examine the effectiveness of the addition of FNC on psychiatric functioning, criminal recidivism, addiction, and other secondary outcomes (quality of life, social network, social support, loneliness, self-sufficiency).We expect significant improvements on psychiatric functioning, criminal recidivism, and addiction, as well as on other secondary outcomes, in the FNC condition as compared to TAU. The third aim of this study is to gain insight into the development of the primary and secondary outcomes over time. To enhance knowledge regarding the underlying mechanisms, a variety of potential mediators and moderators will be explored. METHODS Design A mono-center, open-label RCT with a two parallel group design will be conducted. A total of 105 eligible participants will be randomly allocated to either TAU with the addition of FNC or TAU alone, after the first baseline assessment. All participants receive treatment as usual within a forensic mental healthcare institute at the time of the baseline assessment. Participants in the FNC condition are offered an additional intervention – forensic network coaching – consisting of 2-monthly appointments with a forensic network coach. Assessments will take place before randomization at baseline and every 3 months after baseline assessment until the final assessment at 12 months of treatment. The follow-up assessment will be conducted at 18 months after baseline assessment. Number of crime occurrences and recidivism rates will be determined at 12 months and 36 months after baseline assessment. The effectiveness of FNC will be examined at 12 and 18 months after baseline assessment. Approval for the study protocol was given by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Amsterdam University Medical Center (registration-number NL60308.029.17). The study is registered at the Netherlands Trial Register, part of the Dutch Cochrane Center (NTR7163). Figure 1 provides an overview of the trial design.
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