Effectiveness of Promotive and Preventive Psychosocial Interventions on Improving the Mental Health of Finnish-Born and Immi.pdf (594.79 kB)
Effectiveness of promotive and preventive psychosocial interventions on improving the mental health of Finnish-born and immigrant adolescents
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-10, 05:30 authored by Kirsi Peltonen, Sanni Aalto, Mervi Vänskä, Riina Lepistö, Raija-Leena Punamäki, Emma Soye, Charles WattersCharles Watters, Lutine de Wal Pastoor, Ilsa Derluyn, Reeta KankaanpääBackground: Schools are considered natural environments in which to enhance students’ social–emotional skills and mental health in general, but they can be especially important for students with refugee and immigrant backgrounds. The current study tested the effectiveness of two school-based interventions in enhancing the mental health and wellbeing of adolescents of native, refugee, and immigrant backgrounds. It further analyzed the role of age, gender, daily stressors, and discrimination in affecting the interventions’ effectiveness. Methods: A three-arm cluster RCT with parallel assignment was applied among the 16 schools. Schools were randomized to three conditions of two active interventions and a waiting-list control condition. Students (n = 1974) filled in an online questionnaire at baseline before the interventions, after the interventions, and at follow-up an average of 9 months after the interventions. The effectiveness criteria were internalizing and externalizing problems, resilience, and prosocial behavior. Results: Interventions were generally not effective in decreasing mental health problems and increasing psychosocial resources. The expected positive intervention effects were dependent on students’ age and gender and exposure to socioeconomic daily stressors. Conclusion: Interventions enhancing teacher awareness and peer relationships at school should be carefully tailored according to the strengths and vulnerabilities of participating students, especially their daily stress exposure, but also age and gender.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public HealthISSN
1661-7827Publisher
MDPI AGExternal DOI
Issue
6Volume
19Page range
3686Event location
SwitzerlandDepartment affiliated with
- Social Work and Social Care Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2022-11-18First Open Access (FOA) Date
2022-11-18First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2022-11-18Usage metrics
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