INVEST: Individualised vocational support for youth with borderline personality disorder: A randomised controlled trial

This single-blind, parallel-groups, randomised controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of adding IPS to an evidence-based early intervention programme for Borderline Personality Disorder, with the aim of improving vocational outcomes. The randomisation is stratified by gender and age and uses random permuted blocks. The interventions are 39 weeks of either IPS, or 'usual vocational services' (UVS). Participants comprised of 108 help-seeking young people (aged 15-25 years) with three or more DSM-5 Borderline Personality Disorder features and a desire to study or work, recruited from the Helping Young People Early (HYPE) early intervention programme for Borderline Personality Disorder at Orygen, in Melbourne, Australia. All participants will receive the HYPE intervention. After baseline assessment, staff who are blind to the intervention group allocation will conduct assessments at 13, 26, 39 and 52 weeks. At the 52-week primary endpoint, the primary outcome is the number of days in mainstream education/employment since baseline. Secondary outcomes include the cost-effectiveness of the intervention, quality of life, and Borderline Personality Disorder severity.