Building Resilience in Transcultural Adolescents: An Evaluation of a Group Program

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Abstract

This study investigates the effectiveness of Building Resilience in Transcultural Australians (BRiTA Futures) for Adolescents, a strengths-based group intervention developed to build the resilience of culturally and linguistically diverse adolescents who experience acculturation in the context of their migration and resettlement journey. The study examined the effectiveness of the intervention using qualitative and quantitative procedures. Two hundred and twenty-nine participants (age range 12-20 years) took part in the intervention, offered to them in 3 formats (weekly, over 4 weeks or 2-3 full days). They completed pre and post questionnaires measuring wellbeing and resilience associated with acculturation processes. A series of analyses of variances indicated an overall improvement in participants’ wellbeing and resilience associated with the acculturation process. However, this improvement was not influenced by the format of the intervention, gender, visa status (refugee versus migrant), or duration of stay in Australia. The qualitative data highlighted new skills learned by the participants as well areas for further improvements. The application of the intervention in school and community settings is discussed.

Citation

Relevant Evidence Summaries

The evidence was reviewed and included in the following summaries: 

What is the evidence for strengths-based and trauma-informed approaches?

Evaluations of strengths-based and trauma-informed approaches with refugees are limited, but they provide moderately strong positive evidence for a variety of outcomes. Five studies were identified that have examined the outcomes of strengths-based approaches with refugee clients. These studies have addressed diverse outcomes including health, mental health, social support, English proficiency, and cultural and community […]

About this study

AGE: Adolescents and/or Youth

DIRECTION OF EVIDENCE: Positive impact

FULL TEXT AVAILABILITY: Paid

GENDER: All

HOST COUNTRY: Australia

HOST COUNTRY INCOME: High

INTERVENTION DURATION: Up to 10 weeks

INTERVENTION: Mental health and psychosocial support services

INTERVENTION: Strengths-Based Approaches

OUTCOME AREA: Mental Health

REGION OF ORIGIN OF PARTICIPANT(S): Multiple Regions

STRENGTH OF EVIDENCE: Suggestive

TYPE OF STUDY: Suggestive evidence

YEAR PUBLISHED: 2019

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