Exploring the Integration of Trauma‐ and Violence‐Informed Research Principles in Longitudinal Youth Mental Health Research: An Arts‐Based Protocol

BACKGROUND: Youths' engagement and participation experiences within quantitative, longitudinal mental health studies remain underexplored. Youth with complex mental health needs have unique research participation experiences, underscoring the need for research approaches that strengthen relationality, trust, and engagement. Trauma- and violence-informed research (TVIR) principles offer a promising framework to address these challenges; however, youth-centred perspectives on how TVIR is operationalized within longitudinal mental health research remains limited. OBJECTIVE: CALM STORY will explore youths' perspectives and experiences of participating in longitudinal quantitative mental health research that is grounded in TVIR principles, with attention to choice, collaboration, connection, and control. DESIGN: This protocol outlines CALM STORY, a qualitative, arts-based longitudinal evaluation of youth participation in the Cohort Network of AdoLescents and youth with Multiple mental health conditions (CALM) Master Observational Trial (MOT). CALM STORY is theoretically organised around both TVIR principles as well as the Lundy Model of Participation. METHODS: We are purposefully sampling 30 youth aged 11-19 years enroled in the CALM MOT. Youth are completing two semi-structured qualitative interviews and a PhotoVoice workshop series. With consent, we will extract key socio-demographic data from the CALM MOT to contextualise TVIR strategies. Data will be managed using NVivo software and thematically analysed using a framework-based analytic approach guided by TVIR principles and the Lundy Model of participation. CONCLUSION: CALM STORY will generate youth-centred insights into TVIR engagement and participation in longitudinal quantitative mental health research. Findings will inform key deliverables, including the development and scaling TVIR training for research teams, as well as a research policy brief to be disseminated to the CALM MOT network, research ethics boards, and research funders. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: A Youth Advisory Group (YAG) comprised of youth with lived experience of multiple mental health conditions was established to consult on the CALM MOT's design, data collection, knowledge mobilisation, and sub-studies. The YAG informed CALM STORY's study design, including the interview and PhotoVoice guides and will continued to be consulted throughout the study and its dissemination activities.